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Sleep News Blog

Prescription Sleep Medicine

A Simple Tip That Can Prevent Muscle Aches Caused by Cholesterol Lowering Medication

Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine on July 27th, 2009

It is a well established fact that a category of cholesterol lowering drugs referred to as statins may cause muscle aches. The reason this happens is that popular statin drugs such as <a href=”http://www.onlinepharmacylist.net/22/1/Lipitor/”>Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor can deplete one’s coenzymeQ10 levels. Such a depletion may be one of the key mechanisms of action of statin-induced muscle aches or injury. CoenzymeQ10 is responsible for energy production in the mitochondria of muscle cells. Mitochondria, in turn, are the powerhouses of the cell, causing production of energy. In addition to providing the cell with an energy source, Coenzyme Q10 also is a strong anti-oxidant.

Understanding the fact that statins deplete coenzyme Q10 levels which are necessary for prevention of muscle aches, it makes logical sense that patients on statin drugs should be on Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 supplementation has been show to be of benefit in the setting of statin-induced myalgia as evidenced only in small studies. Many cardiologists argue that the studies were too small or inconclusive to make broad recommendations.

As a comprehensive internal medicine physician, I strongly believe it makes logical sense to give coQ10 when treating someone with a statin even is there is only small chance that muscle injury or fatigue may be prevented. Even though the above is common knowledge for most physicians, simple and benign actions such as coenzymeQ10 supplementation are often not upheld. Instead, the side effects are blanketed by muscle relaxants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories which are prescribed to counteract the negative effects of statin drugs. These drugs, of course, have their own side effects. Here the domino effect continues.

It is this very domino effect that allows patients to spiral downward. One medication may cause a side effect that is then covered up by another medication, and so on. It is imperative to sit down with your doctor and review the details of your symptoms. Has your doctor checked a coenzymeQ10 level, has he or she discussed medication-induced nutritional depletions with you, etc. A thorough investigation will almost always lead to a cause and therefore a solution.

As a physician who follows a philosophy of proactive medicine, I urge you to schedule time to discuss the causes of your symptoms, the side-effects of your medications, and the natural and medical solutions for these issues with your doctor.