title: Statin-associated muscle symptoms-Managing the highly intolerant.
abstract: Musculoskeletal symptoms are the most commonly reported adverse effects associated with statin therapy. Yet, certain data indicate that these symptoms often present in populations with underlying musculoskeletal complaints and are not likely statin related. Switching statins or using lower doses resolves muscle complaints in most patients. However, there is a growing population of individuals who experience intolerable musculoskeletal symptoms with multiple statins, regardless of the individual agent or prescribed dose. Recent randomized, placebo-controlled trials enrolling highly intolerant subjects provide significant insight regarding statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). Notable findings include the inconsistency with reproducing muscle complaints, as approximately 40% of subjects report SAMS when taking a statin but not while receiving placebo, but a substantial cohort reports intolerable muscle symptoms with placebo but none when on a statin. These data validate SAMS for those likely experiencing true intolerance, but for others, suggest a psychosomatic component or misattribution of the source of pain and highlights the importance of differentiating from the musculoskeletal symptoms caused by concomitant factors. Managing the highly intolerant requires candid patient counseling, shared decision-making, eliminating contributing factors, careful clinical assessment and the use of a myalgia index score, and isolating potential muscle-related adverse events by gradually reintroducing drug therapy with the utilization of intermittent dosing of lipid-altering agents. We provide a review of recent data and therapeutic guidance involving a focused step-by-step approach for managing SAMS among the highly intolerant. Such strategies usually allow for clinically meaningful reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an overall lowering of cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Medicine, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. Electronic address: jbackes@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Backes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Medicine, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Janelle F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ruisinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moriarty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: Lipids; Musculoskeletal symptoms; Myalgia; Myopathy; Rhabdomyolysis; Statin intolerance; Statins