How do you treat myalgia from statins?
Although there are no proven remedies for statin-related muscle pain, the following may help.
- Exercise.
- Ramp up your lifestyle changes.
- Have a thyroid blood test.
- Take supplements.
- Change your prescription.
- Image: © Christophe Bourloton/Thinkstock.
What does muscle pain from statins feel like?
One of the most common complaints of people taking statins is muscle pain. You may feel this pain as a soreness, tiredness or weakness in your muscles. The pain can be a mild discomfort, or it can be severe enough to make your daily activities difficult.
How do you stop muscle pain from statins?
Muscle Pain From Statins? Here’s How to Avoid It
- Statins approved in the U.S.
- 1) Ask a pharmacist to review your entire medication regimen.
- 2) Ask your provider about trying a different statin.
- 3) Try a coenzyme Q10 supplement along with your statin.
- 4) Consider an alternative cholesterol-lowering medication.
How long does statin induced myalgia last?
In a small retrospective study of 45 patients, the mean duration of statin therapy before onset of symptoms was 6.3 (SD 9.3) months (range 1 week to 4 years). In this study, the mean duration of myalgia after stopping statin therapy was 2.3 (SD 3.0) months (range 1 week to 4 months).
Why do statins cause myalgias?
How statins cause muscle pain is not fully understood. One theory is that statins may affect a protein in muscle cells, which decreases muscle growth. Another theory is that statins decrease the levels of a natural substance in your body called coenzyme Q10. This substance helps your muscles produce energy.
How long does statin myopathy last?
For most patients, myopathy symptoms induced by statin therapy resolve relatively quickly; however, the results of the PRIMO study showed that it may take up to 2 months for resolution of symptoms.
Can Atorvastatin cause muscle aches?
Try a different statin These statins, including atorvastatin (Lipitor®), simvastatin (Zocor®) and fluvastatin (Lescol®), are more likely to cause muscle aches. The hydrophilic statins, including rosuvastatin (Crestor®) and pravastatin (Pravachol®), have to be actively transported and cause fewer muscle aches.
Can statins cause myopathy?
The most severe adverse effect of statins is myotoxicity, in the form of myopathy, myalgia, myositis or rhabdomyolysis. Clinical trials commonly define statin toxicity as myalgia or muscle weakness with creatine kinase (CK) levels greater than 10 times the normal upper limit.
Can statins cause muscle twitching?
Statins and Muscle Spasms: A Common Side Effect Unfortunately, there are some uncomfortable or even painful side effects associated with statins. Taking statins, many patients report, causes them to get muscle spasms among other side effects.
What is myalgia, and what is causing it?
Myalgia (also called muscle pain and muscle ache) is the medical term for muscle pain. Myalgia is a symptom of many diseases . The most common cause of acute myalgia is the overuse of a muscle or group of muscles; another likely cause is viral infection , especially when there has been no trauma.
How to ease Statin-induced muscle pain?
Although gentle stretching may relieve muscle cramps, beginning a new vigorous exercise regimen while taking a statin may increase the risk of muscle pain. Ramp up your lifestyle changes. Commit to an exercise routine, lose weight if you need to, and adopt a heart- healthy eating plan such as the Mediterranean diet.
What are the symptoms of myalgia?
Myalgia is mainly pain in the muscles. The other symptoms of myalgia include a feeling of soreness in the muscles, a strained feeling that may make movements painful and difficult.
Is the statin drug causing my muscle pain?
Statins are one of the most popular classes of prescription drugs. These potentially life-saving medications have some important medical uses, but the downside is that they could also cause muscle pain or muscle cramps-also known as statin-induced muscle pain.