Myalgia and statins: Separating the true from the false

In therapeutic trials, the incidence of adverse muscle effects under statin is low, exceptional for some authors, < 5% for others. In observational studies, however, this incidence is much higher, up to 20% of patients. These adverse effects are drug-dependent and dose-dependent. It is often complex to distinguish between a real adverse effect and a nocebo effect. Causality is more likely if the symptoms are symmetrical and affect the large muscle masses dependent on the large joints, occur within one month of the introduction of the statin and disappear quickly, within a few weeks after discontinuation of treatment. It seems important not to waste time trying to convince the patient that the alleged muscle symptoms are unrelated to statin therapy. In these patients with suspected statin intolerance, therapeutic impasse is rare and there is a need to attempt dosage reductions, experiment different statins or even prescribe other cholesterol-lowering agents.