Unusual Side Effects of Statins

Many people take statins to lower their cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Statins are a very common prescription and a safe and effective way to treat high cholesterol. Most people can take statins without challenging side effects but they can cause some, most of which are rare. If you experience side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. A simple medication switch might relieve your symptoms.  

Certain kinds of statins can cause nightmares or vivid dreams. This experience is mostly linked to lipophilic statins like atorvastatin, simvastatin,and lovastatin. It’s possible that this happens because lipophilic statins are more likely to enter the brain, which may trigger nightmares and intense dreams. If this side effect is disrupting your sleep, you may want to try a hydrophilic statin which is less likely to affect your brain.

It’s rare, but statins can cause personality changes, including irritability, depression, anxiety, and aggression. Family and friends are often the first ones to notice these changes. While personality shifts are uncommon, they can be serious and affect relationships, careers, and your safety. If you or someone notices personality changes, consult your medical provider. Stopping the medication can relieve these issues. 

You may see memory loss listed on the warning label for your medication but only a small fraction of people experience severe memory failure. And there is limited evidence that statins actually cause memory loss. Some studies have actually found that statins can improve memory issues and decrease your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If you do experience memory loss, don’t panic. It’s a reversible side effect and stopping the medication can get you back to normal.

A very unusual complication of statin use involves your body’s thermostat. Some people have reported localized hot flashes, extreme night sweats, or a profound intolerance to heat. Statin use can also increase your risk of sunburn-like symptoms and rashes. 

Many people feel sore, tired, or weak while taking statins. A much smaller group of people may experience neurological issues that can cause pins and needles. This often shows up as numbness or pain in your hands or feet. It’s more likely to happen if you’re taking a higher dose of statins or if you’ve been on them for a long time. Stopping statin use can often ease symptoms related to neuromuscular issues like pins and needles.

You may feel lower energy or extreme fatigue while on statins. But only 10% of statin users feel much worse after taking statins. Research has shown that women are more likely to experience extreme fatigue on statins. But many things can cause fatigue so you should talk to your doctor about whether statins are the culprit behind your exhaustion. If they are, you can try a different medication.

Statins are one of many drugs that can affect your taste. They can give you a bitter, salty, or metallic taste. Or, you may find that food tastes different – or tastes like nothing at all. This may happen because medications can affect taste buds as well as the chemical makeup of your saliva. To ease these symptoms: eat foods that hide the taste, drink lots of water, brush and floss, ditch metal cutlery, and rinse before meals. 

Muscle pain is one of the most common side effects of statins. Tendon issues are much less common, though can occur in places like your hands, shoulders, elbows, and Achilles. Tendon issues are most likely to become a problem within the first three months of taking statins. If you do experience tendon issues, you can try at-home treatments like ice, rest, and pain relievers. And talk to your doctor about exploring alternative treatments. 

Statins can cause vision issues like double vision and persistent eye twitching. But it’s extremely rare, with only .5-3% of people experiencing them. Though unlikely, statins can weaken the muscles that control eye movement. Regular eye exams can help reduce the risk of this side effect. If you do experience vision issues, switching treatments can help eliminate or improve your symptoms.