Why do statins cause leg cramps?

The researchers suggest that in most people, muscle cells can tolerate this calcium leak. However, in people already susceptible due to their genes or lifestyle, the leak caused by statins may overwhelm the muscle cells, giving rise to muscle pain and weakness.

Do statins cause leg cramps at night?

Muscle pain is the most common side effect of the cholesterol-lowering statins. Although it is usually a constant pain or ache, it may appear as nighttime cramps.

How do you get rid of leg cramps from statins?

Which statin is least likely to cause muscle pain?

Is muscle pain a side effect of all statins? Even though all statins are similar chemically, they have some minor differences that could impact how likely they are to cause muscle pain. Simvastatin is the most likely to cause muscle pain, and fluvastatin is the least likely.

How long does it take for muscle pain from statins to go away?

Take a statin vacation.

This is when you stop the drug for 3 to 4 weeks. Your muscle pain should go away by then if it's related to your statin. Another way to do this is to take the statin every other day. This may help continue to lower bad cholesterol without the achy muscles.

Study: Statins use can lead to muscle pain or weakness

What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?

Can you stop taking statins Once you start?

Do not suddenly stop taking your prescribed medication without talking with your doctor first. If you have side effects from the medication, your doctor might adjust your dosage or recommend a different statin or other combination of medications.

Why do doctors push statins?

Statins are the go-to treatment option for lowering cholesterol levels and risk of cardiovascular complications, like heart attack and stroke. Statins work by slowing down cholesterol production and enabling the liver to remove low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad cholesterol,” from the bloodstream.

What vitamins should not be taken with statins?

Niacin, vitamin B3, is a supplement and prescription medication that can interact with atorvastatin. The interaction can increase the chance of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The risk of an interaction is typically with higher doses of niacin (> 1 gram per day).

How do you know if you have muscle damage from statins?

Rhabdomyolysis or milder forms of muscle inflammation from statins can be diagnosed with a blood test measuring levels of the enzyme creatinine kinase. If you notice moderate or severe muscle aches after starting to take a statin, contact your doctor.

Does CoQ10 help with muscle pain from statins?

In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology , researchers indicate that using CoQ10 supplements seemed to decrease the muscle breakdown, pain, and discomfort of people taking statins. However, a recent study in Atherosclerosis suggests that CoQ10 does not improve muscle pain in people taking statins.

What does statin pain feel like?

One of the most common complaints of people taking statins is muscle pain. You may feel this pain as a soreness, tiredness or weakness in your muscles. The pain can be a mild discomfort, or it can be severe enough to make your daily activities difficult.

Do I need CoQ10 if I take a statin?

Every cell in the body needs coenzyme Q10 to help generate energy. When you take a statin medication to lower your cholesterol, it may lower the amount of coenzyme Q10 in your cells and in your bloodstream, too. That's because the mechanism in your body that makes cholesterol also makes coenzyme Q10.

How do you stop leg cramps fast?

Apply heat or cold. Use a warm towel or heating pad on tense or tight muscles. Taking a warm bath or directing the stream of a hot shower onto the cramped muscle also can help. Alternatively, massaging the cramped muscle with ice may relieve pain.

What statins do not cause leg cramps?

These statins, including atorvastatin (Lipitor®), simvastatin (Zocor®) and fluvastatin (Lescol®), are more likely to cause muscle aches. The hydrophilic statins, including rosuvastatin (Crestor®) and pravastatin (Pravachol®), have to be actively transported and cause fewer muscle aches.

What do doctors prescribe for leg cramps?

Because of the low quality of evidence, no medication can be recommended for routine treatment of leg cramps; however, carisoprodol (Soma), diltiazem, gabapentin, orphenadrine (Norflex), verapamil, and vitamin B₁₂ complex may be considered in some patients.

Can you take vitamin D with statins?

Vitamin D supplement may have moderate or no effect on the dosage requirement or side effects of pravastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin. Since vitamin D has mild HMG-CoA reductase activity, it will work synergistically with all statins.

Can I drink coffee with statins?

Caffeine is a nonspecific adenosine receptor blocker, and thus drinking CC may block the myocardial protective effects of statins.

Can vitamin D cause high cholesterol?

Higher vitamin D levels appear to be associated with higher total cholesterol levels and higher HDL cholesterol levels, according to a new study presented at the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) 65th Annual Scientific Sessions.

What is the best natural alternative to statins?

Is there a natural substitute for statins?

For patients who can't tolerate cholesterol-lowering statins, natural remedies like bergamot, garlic and green tea may be a useful alternative, based on a recent statement published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Why do statins have to be taken at night?

So, why do people take statins at night? Many statins work more effectively when they are taken at night. This is because the enzyme which makes the cholesterol is more active at night. Also, the half-life, or the amount of time it takes for half the dose to leave your body, of some statins is short.

Is 40 mg of atorvastatin a lot?

Conclusions: Atorvastatin in daily dose of 40 mg is a safe and well tolerable medication for the treatment for dyslipidemic disorders in patients of different clinic profile and cardiovascular risk groups in common medical practice.

Can you take a statin every other day?

Background: Statins are generally well tolerated, but some patients discontinue therapy secondary to adverse effects. Dosing a statin (rosuvastatin) every other day (EOD) may provide significant lipoprotein changes while avoiding common adverse effects in this statin-intolerant population.

Do statins make you gain weight?

As with many medications, statins may cause side effects, including digestive problems, muscle pain and weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Another side effect that's been linked to statins is weight gain.