Although the body needs cholesterol for normal functioning, too much of this waxy substance can clog the arteries, causing a stroke or heart attack. Diet and exercise may help patients to reduce their levels of low-density lipoprotein, sometimes called bad cholesterol, but often medication is needed as well. Statins--simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin--reduce the level of cholesterol in the body by blocking an enzyme needed by the liver to produce it. Statins are relatively safe for most people, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, although some side effects can be serious.
Myopathy
The most common side effect of taking statins is muscle pain. Some patients experience only mild soreness, weakness or fatigue in the muscles while others are unable to walk or climb stairs without fatigue or pain. This side effect is reversible if the patient stops taking the medication. Patients who are diabetic, female and older than 65 years are at higher risk for myopathy, as well as those who have liver or kidney disease, according to Drugs.com.
Rhabdomyolosis
Patients who take high doses of statins are at risk for a rare but potentially fatal side effect called rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by a breakdown of the muscle cells, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms include muscle weakness, severe muscle aches throughout the body and cola-colored urine. Rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney failure and death.
Liver Damage
Statins can cause the liver to increase the production of enzymes, which can cause permanent liver disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Patients taking fluvastatin are at higher risk for liver damage than those taking the other statin medications. Other liver-related side effects include hepatitis, jaundice, fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver failure and fulminant liver necrosis.
Digestive Disorders
Rarely, patients taking a statin medication may develop side effects such as constipation, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Most had preexisting digestive problems before developing these symptoms. These symptoms are usually mild and transient.
Rash
Some patients taking a statin medication develop a rash or flushing. Patients taking a statin and niacin are at higher risk of developing this side effect. Rarely, patients may experience urticaria, fever, chills, shaking, malaise and shortness of breath if allergic to the medication.
