Cholesterol is a substance found in the fat in the blood and within cells. It is used to form cell membranes, hormones and other functions. However, a high level of the bad cholesterol, called LDL, may clog arteries and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Eating healthy and exercising regularly may keep your cholesterol level at a normal range. Medication is used when diet and exercise are not enough to lower your cholesterol level. Back pain is a side effect that may occur with certain medications indicated to lower cholesterol. Your physician or pharmacist can determine if back pain is seen with a particular drug.
Medications
The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, the statins, may cause muscle pain and weakness. The statins include rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin and are used to lower elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Back pain is specifically seen with rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and pitavastatin. Fenofibrate, which is a fibric acid, may also lead to back pain. Fenofibrate is used to lower an elevated triglyceride but may also be used to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Back Pain Occurrence
Rosuvastatin may cause back pain in 1 to 10 percent of individuals, according to the "Drug Information Handbook." Up to 4 percent of patients on atorvastatin may feel back pain while using the medication. Muscle spasms and muscle pain may occur with this medication. Pitavastatin may cause back pain in 1 to 4 percent of individuals. Drugs.com explains that during the clinical trials of pitavastatin, the 1 mg dose caused the highest frequency of back pain, occurring in about 4 percent of individuals. The 2 and 4 mg doses caused back pain in about 1 to 2 percent of individuals. Fenofibrate may lead to back pain in about 3 percent of patients.
Solution
Back pain may be treated with a pain killer, such as aspirin or acetaminophen, but speak with a pharmacist to make sure that the pain killer is safe for you and no interactions exist with your other medications. This side effect is not serious and does not require discontinuation of the drug.
Severity of Side Effect
You may speak with your physician or a pharmacist if you have any concerns. If you do not find relief after taking a pain killer, contact your physician right away. Back pain that is severe and persistent must be checked out by a physician.
Monitoring
Muscle pain is most closely associated with the statins and if persistent, may indicate a serious side effect called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers leading to muscle weakness and severe muscle aches. If you are taking a statin, keep all physician appointments so your physician can monitor you appropriately. If you develop severe muscle pain, stop the medication and call your physician.
References
- "Drug Information Handbook"; Charles F. Lacy, Lora L. Armstrong, et al.; 2009
- Drugs.com: Livalo Side Effects
- American Heart Association: Cholesterol
- MayoClinic.com: High Cholesterol
