Statin Use Linked to Muscle Weakness

The MHRA advised statin users to monitor for new or worsening myasthenia gravis symptoms and promptly seek medical guidance if such symptoms arise.

New report suggests possible links between statin use and new-onset or worsened myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder marked by fluctuating muscle weakness affecting various voluntary muscles, including those controlling eye //movements, facial expressions, speech, swallowing, limb function, and breathing. The findings are published by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) ().

What are Statins?

Statins -- atorvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin (single-ingredient and fixed-dose combination products) -- are important medicines to lower a person’s risk of having cardiovascular events such as angina, heart attacks, and stroke. The medications are an acceptably safe and effective group that help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood.

The common symptoms of myasthenic gravis include drooping eyelids, double vision, problems with chewing or swallowing, speech disturbance, limb weakness and shortness of breath. Many people who take statins do not experience side effects and, where this does happen, these are typically mild.

TOP INSIGHT

Statins, frequently prescribed for cholesterol reduction, could potentially lead to a rare, enduring condition characterized by muscle weakness. #myastheniagravis #statins #cholesterol #muscleweakness

But those experiencing problems should not stop statin treatment without first discussing this with the doctor, the MHRA said. The health agency said that the majority of UK patients recovered after stopping statin treatment, while a minority continued to experience symptoms; recurrence of symptoms has been reported when patients restarted on the same or a different statin.

MHRA urged patients taking the pills to "be alert to new symptoms for myasthenia gravis, or worsening symptoms of pre-existing myasthenia gravis, and to seek medical advice if these occur". Globally, there has been a very small number of reports of new-onset or aggravation of preexisting myasthenia gravis.

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