Cholesterol drugs and muscle cramps   Frank Barnhill M.D.
 

Drugs that lower cholesterol can cause leg cramps and muscle weakness!

We all know how important it is to control cholesterol and lipids to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Unfortunately, drugs often used to lower cholesterol and the other fatty components of your blood, such as triglycerides (your lipids or lipoproteins), can cause muscle cramps or weakness. These drugs usually fall into the class known as “statins” and are available as many different names such as lovastatin, etc.

On the good side of the equation, statins can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke or other similar blood vessel damage related diseases by as much as 25% when used with a low fat diet.

Over 90% of persons using statins to control lipids will have few or no side effects of the medicines. Unfortunately, up to 5% of those taking statins will suffer muscle weakness, aches and pains due to a condition called myalgias. A smaller number will have actual muscle damage known as myositis or rhabdomyositis due to direct damage to muscle cells.

Most authorities agree that these drugs cause leg and arm cramps and muscle weakness and pain by depleting total body stores of an essential vitamin called “Coenzyme Q 10”. This vitamin is an essential antioxidant used to produce energy needed for proper nerve and muscle function.

Your doctor can analyze your blood using a test called a CPK (creatine phosphokinase), to detect muscle damage caused by lipid lowering drugs.

Depending on the level of CPK in your blood, your doctor may wish to lower the dose of the drug or change the medication altogether. In some cases, muscle damage may be so severe (rhabdomyositis) as to require the drugs to be discontinued.

Several other factors can make a person more susceptible to the side effects of statins such as: older age, smaller height and muscle mass, alcohol addiction or excessive use, thyroid diseases, chronic renal disease, liver disease and diabetes, as well as certain drugs such as niacin, fibric acids and calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure.

So, what can we do to prevent or lessen this common drug side effect?

Taking as little as 60 to 120 milligrams of “Coenzyme Q 10” per day can replenish this deficiency and possibly reverse or diminish the muscle cramps and weakness caused by lipid lowering drugs such as the statins.

Please note: You will need to take Coenzyme Q 10 for at least 60 days before you see a big improvement.

Other obvious ways to lessen the likelihood of statins side effects would be to avoid excessive alcohol, ask your doctor to be sure your liver, kidneys, and thyroid are all working normally, and keep your blood sugar as normal as possible.

And above all, remember to take your medication properly at the dose indicated for your body size and age.

Here’s to your healthy heart!

Dr. Frank

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