Statin Safety and Side Effects

Introduction to Statin-Associated Risks

• The American College of Cardiology identifies advanced age, small body frame and frailty, multisystem disease, multiple medications, and perioperative periods as risk factors for statin-associated myopathy 1
• The American College of Cardiology also notes that drug interactions with specific medications, such as cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, and macrolide antibiotics, can increase side effect risk 1

Patient Selection and Monitoring

• The American College of Cardiology recommends baseline liver function tests before starting therapy, monitoring liver function when clinically indicated, and careful symptom assessment for muscle-related complaints 1
• The American College of Cardiology advises particular caution in high-risk patients, such as the elderly and those with multisystem disease, and recommends temporary discontinuation during major surgery or acute medical illness 1

Benefits and Risks of Statin Therapy

• The US Preventive Services Task Force concludes with moderate certainty that low to moderate-dose statins provide at least moderate net benefit in adults 40-75 years with CVD risk factors and 10-year CVD risk ≥10% 2
• The US Preventive Services Task Force also finds that the benefits of statins in reducing cardiovascular events outweigh the risks of adverse effects in appropriate patients 2