title: Effect of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on simvastatin-induced myalgia.
abstract: Myalgia is the most frequently reported adverse side effect associated with statin therapy and often necessitates reduction in dose, or the cessation of therapy, compromising cardiovascular risk management. One postulated mechanism for statin-related myalgia is mitochondrial dysfunction through the depletion of coenzyme Q(10), a key component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This pilot study evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q(10) supplementation on statin tolerance and myalgia in patients with previous statin-related myalgia. Forty-four patients were randomized to coenzyme Q(10) (200 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks in combination with upward dose titration of simvastatin from 10 mg/day, doubling every 4 weeks if tolerated to a maximum of 40 mg/day. Patients experiencing significant myalgia reduced their statin dose or discontinued treatment. Myalgia was assessed using a visual analogue scale. There was no difference between combined therapy and statin alone in the myalgia score change (median 6.0 [interquartile range 2.1 to 8.8] vs 2.3 [0 to 12.8], p = 0.63), in the number of patients tolerating simvastatin 40 mg/day (16 of 22 [73%] with coenzyme Q(10) vs 13 of 22 [59%] with placebo, p = 0.34), or in the number of patients remaining on therapy (16 of 22 [73%] with coenzyme Q(10) vs 18 of 22 [82%] with placebo, p = 0.47). In conclusion, coenzyme Q(10) supplementation did not improve statin tolerance or myalgia, although further studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Lipid and Diabetes Research Group, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. joanna.young@cdhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Florkowski
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Molyneux
authors.forename: Roberta G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: McEwan
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Frampton
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Russell S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D003067:Coenzymes / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014815:Vitamins; D014451:Ubiquinone; D019821:Simvastatin; C024989:coenzyme Q10