Statin Side Effects: What to Expect and How to Manage Them

Statins can be an important tool for lowering cholesterol, but like most medications, they may cause some side effects. Most people can take statins without any issues. But some factors may raise the risk of side effects, such as being on several cholesterol-lowering medications, being over 80, being female, having a smaller body frame, having low thyroid hormone, or having kidney or liver disease. Here’s a rundown of how statins may affect you.

About 10% of people on statins say their muscles feel sore, tired, or weak. Research suggests this may happen because the statins bind to a protein in muscle cells and cause a leak of calcium ions inside the cells. Make sure you’re eating a nutritious diet and moving your body regularly. Gentle stretching may help ease your aches. It’s also worth getting a thyroid blood test to check your levels and fix them if needed. In some people, vitamin D and CoQ10 supplements may make a difference. Always ask your doctor before taking a supplement.

Statins may make it harder for your body to use insulin well, raising your blood sugar levels. This puts you at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. You’re at the most risk if you take high-intensity statins (atorvastatin at 40-80 milligrams daily or rosuvastatin at 20-40 milligrams daily) and you already have risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or prediabetes. To reduce this risk, eat a diet high in lean protein, plant-based foods, and healthy fats, cut excess sugar, and prioritize sleep and exercise.

In rare cases, people have reported “cognitive events” while on statins. But scientists haven’t found a solid link between statins and memory problems. If you are having trouble with memory, thinking, and concentration, address other possible culprits: Work on getting good quality sleep, exercise regularly throughout the week, eat a nutritious diet, and talk to a therapist to help with mental stress. Talk to your doctor to make sure there’s not a separate underlying cause.

Statins usually don’t result in headaches. But researchers think that a small percentage of people taking statins may have blood vessel dilation that causes head pain. You can help ease headaches by getting plenty of fluids and rest and avoiding alcohol. Ask your doctor whether certain pain relief medications may also help. Talk to your doctor if headaches are severe, last longer than three days, or come with other symptoms.

If you do have blood vessel dilation from your statins, it may also cause a sudden boost in blood flow to your cheeks, neck, or upper chest, making them warm and red. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to these areas can cool your skin down and ease any discomfort, but it should go away on its own.

Eating certain foods while you’re on statins may raise your chance of having mild nausea. If you find yourself feeling stomach sick, choose bland, easy-to-digest foods and avoid meals that are greasy, heavy, or highly seasoned. Taking your statin with food may also help ease stomach discomfort. If the problem persists, ask your doctor if you may benefit from an antacid.

When you’re first starting a statin, you may have some bathroom issues, such as bloating or diarrhea, as your body adjusts to the medication. For diarrhea, keep a bland diet and drink extra water to restore lost fluids. Staying hydrated can also help move your bowels if you’re constipated. Tell your doctor about your symptoms and see if increasing fiber would help.

Statins may increase the risk of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) in a small set of people. This can cause numbness, tingling, or a pricking sensation in your hands and feet. If this is happening to you, your doctor may either lower your dose or switch you to another statin.

Statins may very rarely lower platelet levels by interfering with how platelets are made or by causing your body to remove them more quickly than it should. This is a serious side effect, and your medical team will need to work to correct it. You’ll likely go off your statin as well as take therapies to help build your platelet levels back.

Less than 1% of people on statins have hair loss. If you start seeing thinner hair, talk to your doctor. You may be able to switch statins, or you may be able to take a medication for hair loss, such as minoxidil, which is usually safe to take alongside statins.

Studies are still exploring whether statins could lead to erectile dysfunction in some men. This is rare. But if you are having trouble getting and keeping an erection, talk to your doctor about whether medication could be a safe solution.