Statin Muscle Toxicity

Video updated 3/5/2012 to reflect new FDA warning labels citing risks of confusion, memory loss, new onset diabetes and muscle injury. Even people who don’t experience pain or weakness on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may be suffering muscle damage.

March 29, 2011
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  • Wayne

    Very interesting studies. Do you think the medical community knows this information given how readily statins are prescribed?

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    • Michael Greger M.D.

      Postmarketing surveillance studies suggest that side-effects patients may by under-reporting adverse drug reactions to their physicians. For anyone on statins it’s critically important to let your doctor know immediately if you start experiencing muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, lack of energy, fever, chest pain, nausea, extreme tiredness, unusual bleeding or bruising, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, flu-like symptoms, yellowing of the skin or eyes, rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.

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      • Meyati

        It’s hard to report something when medical staff doesn’t believe in the condition. I had to fight and go to Urgent Care, ERs, and be a pain to my doctor-and I had black urine. My tendons went out 7 months after starting statin. I sat for over 3 hours in a room, when the UC doctor came in-he was screaming that he wouldn’t interfere with the meds my PCP gave me. I was in for back spasms-no falls, not hit, no bruising, no back problems-just statin toxicity. He took X-Rays and helped me in getting the diagnosis. When I was checking out. He ranted at the nurses for how they put me in that room and didn’t write down my complaint and let him judge if I had a side effect of statin, and they weren’t supposed to put patients in rooms and hope the patient left.  
        I really think that thousands of people aren’t diagnosed because of the hostility of the medical community.

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  • ebaker0460_98

    In addition to muscle toxicity there is an increased risk of diabetes.

    Culver AL, Ockene IS, Balasubramanian R, et al. Statin use and risk of diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative. Arch Intern Med 2012; DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.625. Available at: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/.
    Johansen KL. Increased diabetes mellitus risk with statin use. Arch Intern Med 2012; DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.625. Available at: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/.

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  • caffreyc

    I have high cholesterol – or did. I also am a compulsive eater who hasn’t resolved my issues entirely. But I don’t eat much meat and a year ago I tried halving my statin dose. My chronic pain diminished some – not entirely, but when you have a lot of pain, a little regular reduction helps a lot. My cholesterol tests seem to be OK and I may try stopping the med altogether.

    I also emailed your video to my doctor and to many of my friends.

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  • wickedchicken

    I have been to a LOT of medical conferences, presentations, dietetics evenings, courses. I have never heard anyone mention of the vegan/pure vegetarian dietfor preventing anything!!!! Not a thing about it!!!In fact at a recent diabetes conference one doctor presented on how ALL diabetic or prediabetic patients should be on a statin despite their blood fat readings (even if normal).I wish I had this info at hand at the time, to question her!!!! This makes me more fuelled to change people’s attitudes to prevention. Thank you!

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  • wickedchicken

    I have been to a LOT of medical conferences, presentations, courses. I have never heard any mention of the vegan/pure vegetarian dietfor preventing anything!!!! Not a thing about it!!!In fact at a recent diabetes conference one doctor presented on how ALL diabetic or prediabetic patients should be on a statin despite their blood fat readings (even if normal).I wish I had this info at hand at the time, to question her!!!! This makes me more fuelled to change people’s attitudes to prevention in the medical amd health professional community. hank you!

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