How do you treat patients with myalgia who take statins?

Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2009 Jan;11(1):9-14. doi: 10.1007/s11883-009-0002-1.

Abstract

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are safe and effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. As a result, they confer an all-cause mortality benefit across a wide range of patient groups. The utility of statins is limited by their adverse effects, including myalgias and rhabdomyolysis. These clinical events, plus other symptoms, constitute what is termed statin myopathy. This review summarizes current concepts of statin myopathy and presents strategies to minimize statin-associated myopathic complaints.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Creatine Kinase / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Muscular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Risk Factors
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives
  • Ubiquinone / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Vitamins
  • Ubiquinone
  • Creatine Kinase
  • coenzyme Q10