Having high cholesterol puts you at increased risk of potentially fatal events such as heart attack or stroke. Because of the seriousness of the condition, doctors often prescribe medication to help lower cholesterol levels. One popular class of drugs used to help lower cholesterol levels is statins. Popular statins include lovastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and fluvastatin. While effective, statins can cause side effects, including joint pain.
How Statins Work
Statins work in two ways. They lower LDL cholesterol -- the unhealthy, or bad, kind -- and trigylceride levels, and increase levels of HDL cholesterol -- the healthy, or good, kind, the Harvard School of Public Health reports. The drugs accomplish this by blocking a chemical your body required to make the fatty substance. Doctors typically prescribe statins when your total cholesterol level is very high or when lifestyle changes do not lower levels enough.
Side Effects
Joint and muscle aches stand as the most commonly reported side effects of statins, Mayo Clinic reports. Although annoying and bothersome, these effects pose no threat, and should not be cause for concern. Other common side effects that do not indicate a problem include constipation, diarrhea and nausea. If any of the side effects of the medication bother you, including moderate to severe joint pain, speak to your doctor about possible alternatives or ways to lessen them.
Serious Side Effects
In rare cases, statins can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. Both liver damage and serious muscle problems can occur with statin use, Mayo Clinic reports. In the case of liver damage, you can usually reverse the ill effects by stopping your use of the drugs. Muscle problems linked to statins become more common the higher the dose of the drug you take. In the most severe cases, muscle cells actually break down, a condition called rhabdomyolosis. When rhabdomyolosis develops, you can also experience kidney damage.
Patient Monitoring
Because severe liver and muscle problems that can occur with statin use often start with no outward symptoms, your doctor may monitor your condition. Doctors often require a blood test to check liver function within several weeks of starting the drugs, and every six months for as long as you use the medication. Take notice of any unusual changes, and report them to your doctor to ensure you have not developed a serious complication.
