Statins are one of the most prominent classes of prescription medicines that lower cholesterol levels and decrease the chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Statins can cause muscle pain or muscle cramps, also called statin-induced muscle pain. American Heart Association Journals reports that 5% to 20% of Lipitor (atorvastatin) users experience this side effect. In this article, we will explore how the drug causes muscle pain and symptoms and how we can manage it. In addition, you can buy Lipitor online to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
How Does Lipitor Cause Muscle Pain?
The exact mechanism by which Lipitor or other statins cause muscle pain is unknown, but researchers have a few ideas:
Genetics: Some genes may increase your chances of experiencing muscle pain after taking Lipitor tablets.
CoQ10 Coenzyme: Lipitor might disrupt the production of CoQ10, a vital coenzyme crucial for muscle energy. It is also suggested that taking CoQ10 supplements could potentially alleviate statin-related muscle issues, but we still need more data to fully understand this connection.
Muscle Fibers: You have two types of fibers in your muscles: slow-twitch oxidative fibers (type I) and fast-twitch glycolytic fibers (type II). Your type I fibers are useful for low-intensity and long-duration exercises. Type II fibers are useful for high-intensity, short-duration exercises. Lipitor can cause muscle pain if you have more type II muscle fibers.
Protein Prenylation Impairment: Several proteins need to be prenylated (modified) by lipids (fats) in order to know where to go and how to function. Lipitor tablets cause muscle pain by inhibiting protein prenylation.
Low Cholesterol in Muscles: Statins may prevent muscles from making cholesterol. It is unclear, however, whether reduced cholesterol levels in muscles may cause muscle aches. More research is needed.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Free Radicals: Many human cells contain mitochondria, a structure that plays an important role in the production of free radicals. Additionally, it produces energy. Statins may also inhibit mitochondrial function. The presence of free radicals may contribute to statin-related muscle pain.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Low vitamin D may contribute to muscle pain associated with statins. But more studies are needed.
Calcium Leakage: Muscles that can't contract properly experience calcium leaks. It is possible to cause muscle pain and weakness by unintentional calcium leaks from muscle cells. Further research is needed to confirm that Lipitor may deteriorate this unintentional leakage.
Symptoms of Statin-Related Muscle Pain
It is possible to experience SAMS at various frequencies and severity levels. In most cases, statins cause muscle pain in the following three ways:
Myalgia: This type of muscle pain usually affects the shoulders, arms, hips, or thighs. There is also often a feeling of weakness associated with myalgia.
Myositis: It is a type of myopathy that causes inflammation and muscle pain as well as an increase in blood levels of CK (a muscle enzyme). A high level of CK in the blood indicates muscle damage.
Rhabdomyolysis: Although very rare, this severe form of myopathy causes muscle fiber contents to leak into the blood, potentially damaging the kidneys.
Statin-associated autoimmune myopathies have also been reported as a side effect of statins. A fraction of patients suffer from this serious muscle-wasting condition.
Does Muscle Pain from Lipitor Go Away?
You'll usually notice muscle pain from Statins like Lipitor soon after starting the medication. Most people, however, will only experience this side effect for a short period of time. It typically takes 1-2 weeks for muscle pain to disappear after you stop taking a statin. The pain may have been caused by something else if it does not go away. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if the muscle-related side effects are directly linked to the statin or if they are caused by other health conditions.
How to Manage Statin Muscle Pain?
While statins are highly effective at lowering cholesterol, they are not the only option. As part of your treatment, your doctor may ask you to complete several steps, such as:
Take a Break from Statins: This is when you stop taking the drug for three to four weeks. Your muscle pain should disappear by then if your statin causes it. Taking the statin every other day is another way to do this. In this way, bad cholesterol can be lowered without causing muscle aches.
You Should Adjust Your Dosage: When you lower your statin dosage, muscle aches sometimes get milder or go away. You and your healthcare practitioner will discuss the pros and cons of this option. It is possible that you need to make some more lifestyle changes or add another type of cholesterol medication if your LDL levels are very high on a lower dose.
Try Another Drug: Taking a different statin might improve your symptoms. You can try other cholesterol-lowering drugs if your muscle aches persist after switching statins. Consult your doctor if none of the above strategies work. Non-statin medications include:
Ezetimibe
Adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors
Bile acid sequestrants
PCSK9 inhibitors
You Should Check for Interactions: Tell your doctor about all your drugs, herbs, and supplements. Statins can cause side effects if certain chemicals are mixed with them. Combining statins with the following may cause side effects:
Grapefruit juice
Immunosuppressants
Calcium channel blockers
Heart rhythm drugs
Antifungals that end in -azole
Antidepressants
Antibiotics that end in -mycin
Some hormone treatments
Moderate Exercise: Experiencing some soreness after a workout is normal. Moderate exercise may prevent some statin-related muscle side effects. Ask your doctor what's safe for you if you're new to exercising.
Long or Intense Exercise: You might experience more muscle pain if you do a lot of physical activity. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend skipping your statin a day or two before serious exercise, such as a marathon.
Check Your Thyroid: The symptoms of hypothyroidism include muscle pain and weakness. Your healthcare professional can run a simple blood test to determine if you need treatment.
Change Your Lifestyle: You can lower your "bad" cholesterol (LDL) by eating fiber-rich and low in saturated and trans fats. You can boost your "good" levels (HDL) by exercising 150 minutes weekly. Quit smoking if you smoke. You may need to take a lower dose due to these changes.
Before taking any of these steps, you should always discuss this with your healthcare professional. In addition, if you are willing to buy Lipitor online, order drugs from Canada for the convenient delivery of authentic medication.
Final Words
While Lipitor and other statins effectively reduce cholesterol and decrease the chances of cardiovascular disease, they may cause muscle pain in some people. This muscle pain, known as statin-induced muscle pain, can range from mild discomfort to severe myopathy. Although the exact reason for this side effect is not fully understood, various factors such as genetics, muscle fiber composition, and mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role.
Managing statin-related muscle pain involves discussing with your doctor, potentially adjusting the dosage, trying different medications, and making lifestyle changes. Always consult your healthcare practitioner when changing your medication or lifestyle. With proper management and monitoring, statin-related muscle pain can often be alleviated, ensuring heart health and overall health.
