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3 people stand under a statin pill asking questions

Understanding Statin Intolerance

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By Editorial Team

Last Updated:

2 min read

Statins are a type of medicine. Doctors prescribe them to lower cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease like heart attack and stroke. However, some people cannot take statins. They experience side effects. This is called statin intolerance.1-3

What is statin intolerance?

Statin intolerance means a person cannot tolerate taking statin drugs. They experience symptoms that make it difficult or impossible to continue the medicine. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most common symptom is muscle pain. Other symptoms include:2,3

  • Muscle soreness and weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Liver problems

Doctors diagnose statin intolerance when a person reports these symptoms while taking a statin. They also look for other possible causes of the symptoms. If no other cause is found, and the symptoms improve when the statin is stopped, your doctor may diagnose statin intolerance.2,3

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What causes statin intolerance?

The exact cause of statin intolerance is still being researched and studied. Several factors may contribute to it.3

Drug interactions can cause statin intolerance. Taking certain medicines along with statins can increase the risk of side effects. Some of these drugs can include:1-3

  • Some antibiotic or antifungal drugs
  • HIV drugs
  • Some immunosuppressant drugs

Some statins can interact with grapefruit juice and cause side effects. Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can disrupt the body's ability to process statins. Talk to your doctor about whether you should cut out grapefruit from your diet.1,2

Who experiences statin intolerance?

Anyone taking statins can experience intolerance. However, some people are at a higher risk. Older adults are more likely to experience muscle problems while taking statins. This might be because older adults often take multiple medicines, increasing the risk of drug interactions.2,3

People with certain medical conditions are also at a higher risk. These conditions include kidney disease, liver disease, and hypothyroidism. These conditions can affect how the body processes statins.2,3

Women are more likely than men to report muscle symptoms while taking statins. The reasons for this difference are not fully understood.2,3

What are the risk factors?

Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of statin intolerance, including:2,3

  • High statin dose – Taking a high dose of statins increases the risk of muscle problems and side effects.
  • Older age – Adults 80 and older are more susceptible to statin side effects.
  • People assigned female at birth – Women are more likely to report muscle symptoms.
  • Kidney or liver disease – These conditions can affect how the body processes statins.
  • Hypothyroidism – This condition can also affect statin metabolism.
  • Drug interactions – Taking certain medicines with statins can increase the risk of side effects.

Talk to your doctor

If you are taking statins and having muscle pain or other symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if you have statin intolerance. They can also help you find a safe and effective treatment for high cholesterol.1-3

Remember that statins are an effective treatment for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first.1-3

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.

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