There are a number of side effects that could occur as a result of taking cholesterol reducers, but fortunately, side effect frequency is low. Muscle aches can occur with statin use and must be immediately reported to a physician. Certain cholesterol-lowering medications can also produce abnormal liver function in approximately 2 percent of the population, which can be diagnosed by periodic liver enzyme testing. In rare cases, this may lead to liver failure. Patients with moderate or severe liver disease should not take statins. For the most part, abnormal liver function is reversible when the statin is discontinued.

A rare, but potentially fatal side effect of some cholesterol-reducing drugs (statins and certain fibrates) is rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle reaction in which muscle cells break down, releasing their contents into the bloodstream. Physicians can monitor patients for this complication by checking muscle enzyme levels (e.g., creatine phosphokinase [CPK]) in the blood. It most often affects the muscles in the back or lower calves. Some patients report no symptoms and in rare cases rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney or other organ failure and death. Patients should report any of the following symptoms of rhabdomyolysis to their physicians immediately:

Risk of this severe complication appears to be higher in elderly patients, those taking high doses of statin and those taking statins in conjunction with a fibrate (e.g., fenofibrate, gemfibrozil). In 2001, one type of statin, called cerivastatin (brand name “Baycol”) was voluntarily withdrawn from the market by its manufacturer due to reports that fatal cases of rhabdomyolysis had been significantly more common with cerivastatin than with other approved statin drugs.

Statins carry a very low risk of side effects to the nervous system, including tingling, numbness and burning pain. These manifestations are known as peripheral neuropathy.

Patients on any cholesterol-lowering drugs should also notify their physician if they experience any side effects such as the following:

• Allergic reaction (new onset of wheezing, respiratory congestion, itching or skin rashes)
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Flushing of the face or neck
• Bloating
• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness, weakness or fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hair loss
• Decreased sexual interest or ability