Answer:
Statin-associated muscle adverse events are not uncommon. Myalgia and myopathy occur with a frequency of 2–11%.1 However, severe myonecrosis and clinical rhabdomyolysis are much rarer (0.5% and <0.1%, respectively).2–5 Patients can experience statin-induced myalgias without an elevation in serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration.
References
- Parker BA, Capizzi JA, Grimaldi AS, et al. Effect of statins on skeletal muscle function. Circulation 2013;127:96.
- Tobert JA. Efficacy and long-term adverse effect pattern of lovastatin. Am J Cardiol. 1988;62:28J.
- Dujovne CA, Chremos AN, Pool JL, et al. Expanded clinical evaluation of lovastatin (EXCEL) study results: IV. Additional perspectives on the tolerability of lovastatin. Am J Med. 1991;91:25S.
- Boccuzzi SJ, Bocanegra TS, Walker JF, et al. Long-term safety and efficacy profile of simvastatin. Am J Cardiol. 1991;68:1127.
- Pedersen TR, Berg K, Cook TJ, et al. Safety and tolerability of cholesterol lowering with simvastatin during 5 years in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study. Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:2085.
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