Abstract

STATIN-ASSOCIATED MYOPATHY

North Adelaide Cardiac Clinic, SA. admin@medped-aust.com

Myopathy occurs in 0.1%-0.2% of patients receiving statins in clinical
trials. This adverse effect is shared by all statins, but is more common
with cerivastatin, especially in combination with gemfibrozil. The risk of
myopathy is increased by: the use of high doses of statins, concurrent use
of fibrates, concurrent use of hepatic cytochrome P450 inhibitors, acute
viral infections, major trauma, surgery, hypothyroidism and other
conditions. Statin-associated myopathy should be suspected when a
statin-treated patient complains of unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or
weakness. Statin therapy should be stopped in cases of suspected myopathy,
and serum creatine kinase levels should be checked and monitored. No
specific therapies other than statin withdrawal and supportive measures
for rhabdomyolysis are currently available.

Publication Types:

   * Review
   * Review, Tutorial

PMID: 11758079 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]