Statins have been characterized as miracle drugs against heart disease. By lowering cholesterol dramatically, these drugs are supposed to prevent heart attacks and prolong life. Some researchers believe that nearly all Americans between 66 and 75 should be on a statin (JAMA Internal Medicine, Jan. 2015). But what about severe statin side effects?
Many health professionals maintain that drugs like atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) or simvastatin (Zocor) save lives without causing side effects.
A review of randomized clinical trials concludes:
“Only a small minority of symptoms reported on statins are genuinely due to the statins: almost all would occur just as frequently on placebo” (European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, April, 2014).
Rather than question the ability of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to detect adverse drug reactions, these doctors conclude that statins do not have side effects. What they do not realize is that these clinical trials are really designed to demonstrate effectiveness and achieve FDA approval. They are far less capable of detecting complications of drug therapy.
Doctors often feel aggravated when the media mention statin side effects. Danish researchers have found that negative news stories are associated with patients stopping their statins (European Heart Journal, March 14, 2016). Of course, anyone considering stopping a medication should consult the prescriber first. A full discussion of benefits, risks and the patient’s primary goals makes sense at such a crossroads.
Why Would Anyone Stop a Statin?
Many physicians have a hard time understanding why anyone would stop taking a statin. The medical community perceives statins as among the safest drugs in the pharmacy. Despite this, as many as half of the people prescribed statins stop taking their medicine by the end of the first year (Canadian Journal of Cardiology, Sept-Oct, 2012). In Korea, about 40% of those who start on a statin discontinue it before two years are up (Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis, Jan. 2024). Younger and thinner people were more likely to stop the drug, whereas those with diabetes or high blood pressure were more likely to continue with it.
If statins are truly benign, why do so many people discontinue them? Some doctors note that the actual incidence of muscle pain and weakness is far greater than the clinical trials indicate (PLOS One, online, Aug. 22, 2012). We have been hearing for decades that some people experience debilitating muscle problems when they take statins. If they stop, the complications often disappear with time. At least one study demonstrates that the longer people stay on atorvastatin, the worse their muscles do (JCI Insight, Feb. 22, 2024).
Muscle Pain Testimonials:
Here are just a few stories. One reader reported:
“I’ve been on simvastatin for about five years. The cramps and leg and joint pain were awful, but my doctor ignored my complaints. At night it was impossible to sleep because of the cramping.
“I finally had enough and stopped the drug completely. After about a week, the cramps subsided. Not only that, I have less pain and more energy. I feel better emotionally and physically.”
Another had a similar reaction:
“I have been on atorvastatin for high cholesterol for nearly three years. Recently I have had severe pain in my left thigh, mostly at night. This got so bad I consulted a physician and was sent for blood tests and an x-ray of my femur. I was also prescribed pain medication.
“I was then told to stop the atorvastatin immediately. I’ve been off it for three days and experienced so much improvement that I didn’t take the pain medication at bedtime last night. (I did have to get up at 4:15 am to take one.)
“Today I am pain free. I will not return to atorvastatin as I am attributing these problems to its use.”
Other Severe Statin Side Effects:
Besides muscle pain, studies have linked statins to an increased risk of diabetes, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment. Patients who want to stop their statins should discuss this with their doctor, and people doing well should keep taking them.
Dry Eye and Dry Mouth:
Some severe statin side effects are not well known. Here is a message about a serious though uncommon reaction.
Q. I am a physician. While on a statin, I developed severe dry eye and dry mouth. I did not recognize the association and my ophthalmologist had never heard of it either. Nor had cardiologists I asked about it. Eventually I developed a corneal ulcer.
On the NIH website, I searched “statin and dry mouth.” This is a known problem. After stopping the statin, my eyes and mouth are now back to normal. My quality of life is vastly improved.
A. A study of nearly 40,000 individuals found that those taking a statin to lower cholesterol were significantly more likely to have dry eyes (American Journal of Ophthalmology, Oct. 2020).
Others may be interested in our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health, which offers some nondrug approaches to getting cholesterol down and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Share your own statin story below in the comment section. If you have experienced no side effects we would like to hear from you. If you have a different perspective please let us know. And do vote on this article at the top of the page.
