10 Statin Side Effects You Should Know About
Key takeaways:
Some people may be hesitant to take statins because of cholesterol medicine side effects. But statins are generally well-tolerated. Over 80% of people taking them report experiencing no side effects. Side effects can also vary by statin.
The most commonly reported statin side effects are muscle-related symptoms, including muscle pain, cramps, and weakness. But for many people, their statin may not actually be the cause of these symptoms.
Serious statin side effects, like muscle, liver, and kidney damage, are extremely rare.
There are several options your prescriber may try if any statin side effects become bothersome. Lowering your dose, trying alternate-day dosing, and switching statins are just a few options.
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Table of contents
Statins are generally the first-choice medication option for high cholesterol. And they can also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, too. They work by slowing down cholesterol production in the liver. Examples of commonly used statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).
Studies show that statins are generally well-tolerated. In fact, over 80% of people taking them report no side effects. But you may still be hesitant to take them due to concerns about their risks. Below, we’ll break down 10 side effects linked to statins and what you should know about each of them.
Statin side effects at a glance
All medications can have side effects and statins are no exception. While many side effects are mild, a few rare side effects can be severe. Here are some of the common and rare side effects of statins, such as Lipitor.
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Common statin side effects include:
Muscle pain
Headache
Fatigue, or feeling tired
Stomach-related effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Rare but serious statin side effects include:
Severe muscle damage
Liver damage
Kidney damage
Hair loss
Type 2 diabetes
Memory problems
These are some side effects of statin cholesterol medicines you should know. Below, we go into more detail about each of these potential side effects.
Muscle pain from statins: Learn more about who’s more likely to experience muscle pain from statins and what you can do about it.
Statin interactions: Each statin has unique interactions to consider. But there are some interactions that apply to most statins that you should know about.
Stopping your statin: Here is a list of reasons why you shouldn’t suddenly stop your statin.
1. Muscle pain
Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are the most well-known side effects of statins, reported by up to 20% of people taking them. But this effect is much less common than people think. Muscle symptoms range from mild muscle aches to rare cases of severe muscle damage. For many people, muscle symptoms fade over time.
It’s unclear how statins cause muscle pain. But researchers think that it could be due to a variety of things, such as calcium leaking out of muscle cells. Your genetics may play a role as well.
Strong risk factors associated with SAMS include:
Taking a statin with an interacting medication
History of muscle symptoms with other cholesterol-lowering medications
History of unexplained muscle pain and cramps
History of elevated creatinine kinase (a protein that indicates muscle damage)
High-dose statin use
Untreated hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels)
Tell your healthcare team if you have persistent muscle pain that won’t go away. They may take you off of your statin medication for a little bit, then restart you on it later. A dose change or switching to a different statin may also help with SAMS.
2. Headache
Headache is a common statin side effect, reported by 2% to 17% of people taking them. This side effect may resolve on its own once your body is used to the medication. If the headaches are bothersome, talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options, like acetaminophen (Tylenol).
If your headache is severe or persists for a long time, let your healthcare team know. Although extremely rare, statins have been linked to hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel). Severe headache is one of the hallmark symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke. This is a very serious medical condition and requires immediate medical attention.
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3. Fatigue
Feeling tired is another possible statin side effect. Some people taking statins may experience fatigue, especially when they exercise or move. Fatigue is reported by about 1% to 4% of people taking statins.
A few tips to manage fatigue while on a statin include:
Taking plenty of breaks during the day
Making sure you have a good night’s rest
Trying to stay active and eat a well-balanced diet
It should be noted that fatigue can be a sign of other health problems. So, it’s important to let your healthcare team know if your fatigue worsens while taking a statin. They can help determine the cause of your fatigue and treat you as needed.
4. Stomach-related effects
Statins also have stomach-related side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. About 1% to 7% of people report these side effects.
A few tips to manage stomach-related side effects while taking a statin include:
Nausea/vomiting: Try to avoid spicy or overly sweet food. Stick to a bland diet, made up of things like saltine crackers or plain toast. If your nausea is severe, you can talk to your prescriber about medication options.
Diarrhea: Loperamide (Imodium A-D) is an OTC treatment option that can help with diarrhea short term. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid becoming dehydrated. Avoid foods that can worsen diarrhea, such as dairy products and greasy foods.
Constipation: Gradually increase your intake of high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. Try incorporating more physical activity into your routine. Your prescriber or pharmacist can also recommend an OTC laxative if these changes don’t help.
If these side effects continue to be bothersome, talk to your healthcare team about other tips that may help.
5. Severe muscle damage
Rhabdomyolysis, or severe muscle damage resulting in muscle breakdown, is extremely rare with statins. If left untreated, rhabdomyolysis can be life threatening. This is because as muscle tissue leaks into the bloodstream, it can cause kidney failure by clogging up the kidneys.
Taking certain medications with statins can also raise your risk for rhabdomyolysis. Examples of potential interactions include:
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Azithromycin (Zithromax)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
This is not a complete list of all interactions. It’s important to let your healthcare team know about all of the medications you’re currently taking. This will help prevent potential interactions.
Rest and hydration are also key factors for preventing the progression of rhabdomyolysis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your prescriber may take you off of your statin medication completely.
If you notice symptoms such as severe muscle pain and weakness or dark urine while on a statin, get medical attention right away.
6. Kidney damage
Although extremely rare, statins may contribute to kidney injury. Kidney damage is more likely to be seen as a complication of rhabdomyolysis.
Signs and symptoms of kidney damage include:
Not urinating as often
Nausea
Confusion
Swelling of the legs, ankles, and around the eyes
Feeling out of breath
Seizure
Feeling extremely weak and tired
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above while taking a statin, let your healthcare team know right away.
7. Liver damage
Statins can elevate certain liver enzyme levels, which can be a sign of liver inflammation or damage. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that liver toxicity will occur. Liver damage is extremely rare with statins. And it appears that higher statin doses are more likely to affect the liver. Drinking a lot of alcohol may also increase the risk of liver damage.
Symptoms of liver damage include:
Dark urine
Stomach pain
Feeling extremely weak and tired
Loss of appetite
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Your prescriber may check your liver health before you start a statin and periodically during treatment. But if you experience any of these symptoms, let your healthcare team know right away.
8. Hair loss
While rare, there have been some reports of hair loss in people taking certain statins, such as atorvastatin. But it’s important to keep in mind that hair loss can have several causes beyond medication, including aging, genetics, and hormonal changes.
But if your statin is the culprit, your hair should grow back after you stop taking it. However, statins are usually taken long term, and their benefits far outweigh this side effect. If you notice hair loss or thinning during treatment that bothers you, let your prescriber know. They may suggest hair loss treatment options or adjustments to your statin regimen.
9. Type 2 diabetes
Statins can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke for people with Type 2 diabetes. But some studies suggest they can raise the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, or worsen existing diabetes. This is more likely in people with pre-existing risk factors for diabetes, or those taking high-intensity statins.
It’s unclear why this happens. But it’s thought that statins may interfere with insulin release and sensitivity. Yet, researchers believe that the benefits of statins far outweigh the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Talk to your healthcare team if you start experiencing frequent urination, thirst and dry mouth, and loss of appetite while taking a statin. If you have diabetes, tell your prescriber if your blood glucose (sugar) levels become higher than normal.
10. Memory problems
Memory problems are rarely reported as a side effect of statins. These generally consist of mild forms of forgetfulness, confusion, and inability to process and understand certain information.
Currently, there’s no evidence that strongly links statins to memory problems. But if you think you’re experiencing memory problems from your statin, talk to your healthcare team.
Frequently asked questions about statin side effects
Still have questions about statin side effects? Below, we answer a few frequently asked questions.
A common question is whether side effects of statins in women differ from side effects of statins in men. In general, each person can react differently to a medication, regardless of sex. Some people may be more sensitive to statin side effects than others. And there’s not really a reliable way to predict this.
That said, one study sought to determine differences in statin side effects between women and men. The study reviewed results of a survey of adults in the U.S. where they were asked questions about statin use. The study found that women were more likely to stop or switch their statin than men, with the main reason reported as new worsening muscle symptoms. But more research would be needed to confirm this finding.
Some medications are dangerous to stop abruptly, often with immediate symptoms of withdrawal or other effects. With statins, you typically won’t have immediate side effects or withdrawal symptoms. But usually, you shouldn’t stop taking a medication, including a statin, without talking with your healthcare team first.
Although you may not have immediate symptoms if you stop taking your statin suddenly, there are risks. Studies have found that people who stop taking their statin have a higher risk of heart attack and death from heart-related causes. You and your prescriber should carefully consider the risks and benefits before stopping your statin.
If any statin side effects start interfering with your quality of life, the first thing you should do is contact your healthcare team. There are a few different options they may try to bring you relief. Examples of these include:
Checking for interactions. Other medications or supplements you’re taking may be interacting with your statin, making side effects more likely.
Lowering your statin dose. As mentioned above, higher statin doses may be more likely to cause side effects. If your side effects are relatively mild, they may try this approach.
Taking a break. You may be instructed to stop taking your statin until you feel better. After that, they may have you restart it at a lower dose.
Trying alternate-day dosing. Instead of taking your statin every day, you may be instructed to take it every other day.
Switching statins. If other options haven’t been successful, your prescriber may have you try different statin. In some cases, they may have you take a different type of cholesterol medication instead.
And what about coenzyme Q10? You may have heard that this supplement can help with muscle symptoms from statins. However, there isn’t a lot of evidence that supports this. But if you’re interested in giving it a try, your prescriber can give you an appropriate dosage and tips for picking out a CoQ10 supplement.
The bottom line
Statin medications are very effective for lowering your cholesterol and risk of heart attack and stroke. Even though they’ve been linked to a variety of side effects, most statins are well-tolerated.
Commonly reported statin side effects include muscle pain, headache, and stomach-related effects, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The likelihood of statins causing serious side effects is extremely rare.
That said, medication side effects should be taken seriously. If you experience side effects while taking a statin, let your healthcare team know. Together, you can discuss if the benefit of taking a statin outweighs its risk for your specific situation.
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References
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