Rhabdomyolysis from statins: What's the risk?
How do you know if you have rhabdomyolysis from statin use? Can statins cause other serious side effects?
- Marcela / Arizona
Answer
At high doses, statin medications can impair the production of certain proteins involved in muscle metabolism and function. Uncommonly, this can result in muscle pain and tenderness — a condition known as statin myopathy. If you notice moderate muscle aching, stop taking your statin medication and contact your doctor. Muscle aching usually goes away within a couple of weeks after stopping the statin drug.
In severe cases, statins may cause muscle cells to break down. This rare but potentially life-threatening side effect is known as rhabdomyolysis. The most common signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include:
- Severe muscle aching throughout the entire body
- Muscle weakness
- Dark or cola-colored urine
The higher the dose of statins, the higher the risk of rhabdomyolysis. The risk also increases if certain drugs — including cyclosporine and gemfibrozil (Lopid) — are taken in combination with statins.
If you have signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, stop taking your statin medication immediately and seek medical treatment right away. If necessary, your doctor may take steps to help prevent kidney damage and other complications.
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