What are the most common side effects of statins?
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (or ‘statins’), like all medicines, can have side effects. But most people tolerate them well and do not have any problems.
Examples of statins include atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin.
Statins are prescribed to lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and the risk of life-threatening side effects from statins is low. But you should discuss the benefits and risks of taking statins with your doctor before you start taking the medicine.
If you are having problems with side effects, talk to your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted or you may need a different type of statin, or an alternative drug.
So. What are the most common side effects of statins?
The main side effects of statins are listed here. Some of these will not necessarily apply to the specific statin you’re taking.
Common side effects
Side effects can vary between different statins, but common side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick
- Feeling unusually tired
- Digestive system problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Sleep problems
- Low blood platelet count.
Uncommon side effects
Uncommon side effects of statins include:
- Increased blood sugar
- Acute kidney injury (AKI; rapid onset of kidney failure) due to rhabdomyolysis (associated with a creatine kinase, CK, rise). This can sometimes require temporary dialysis treatment. The kidneys usual recover
- Memory problems
- Hair loss
- Pins and needles
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause flu-like symptoms. At wort, this can lead to liver failure
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain
- Skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash
- Sexual problems, such as loss of libido (reduced sex drive) or erectile dysfunction
Rare side effects
Rare side effects of statins include:
- Muscle weakness (myopathy)
- Loss of sensation or tingling in the nerve endings of the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
- Tendon problems (tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones).
Summary
We have described what are the most common side effects of statins. We hope it has been helpful.
