If you are having shoulder pain and think it might be associated with the cholesterol-lowering drugs you are taking, you might be right. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, have been linked to muscle and joint pain in about 10 percent of the people who take them. This side effect is generally considered minor, and medical scientists aren't sure why it occurs. But there are ways to deal with it.
Side Effects
Experts estimate that up to 10 percent of people who take statin drugs like Lipitor (atorvastin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Zocor (simvastin) develop muscle and joint pains. A much more serious side effect, rhabdomyolylis, involves severe muscle deterioration, but it is far more rare. Another side effect of statins is liver toxicity, which is why statin users should have routine blood tests to check for elevated liver enzymes. Other side effects may include digestive problems and rash or flushing.
Risk
Generally, the older and more fragile you are, the more likely you could develop aches and pains from statins. Moreover, some people who have taken statins for many years without side effect have developed muscle and joint pains associated with these drugs. Studies have shown that side effects from statins are more likely to strike patients who are over 65, female, taking several drugs to lower cholesterol, have smaller body types and have diabetes, kidney disease or liver problems. It is also possible that taking statins with anti-depressant or immunosuppressant drugs could make muscle and joint pain more likely.
Strategies
If pain from taking statins is severe, doctors often take patients off the drugs for a short time. That gives patients time to see if their condition improves. To alleviate pain, patients also may be switched to another statin drug, have the dosage lowered or have their exercise regimen moderated. Don't take over-the-counter pain relievers without consulting with a doctor. In some people, the nutritional supplement coenzyme Q10 may help, but talk with your doctor. It may be possible to eliminate the need for statins through exercise, nutrition and managing stress.
Benefits
Taking statin drugs is a balancing act. The risks are fairly well known, but the benefits are also well known. Studies have shown that statins substantially reduce the risk of heart disease, the nation's No. 1 killer. They also may reduce breast cancer risk and even slow the mental decline associated with aging.
