Statin drugs linked to fatigue in up to 40% of people

Posted on Tue, 3 Jul 12

In what may be the first study to look at the incidence of fatigue in statin users an alarming 30-40% of people were found to suffer from tiredness and exertion related fatigue.

A study of 1016 men and women involved the administration of a statin drug (simvastatin 20 mg or pravastatin 40 mg) or placebo for six months.  After treatment there was a significant adverse effect on fatigue, which was more common in women. There was also a relationship between fatigue and lower physical activity, which could in turn raise cardiovascular risk.

Statins are typically prescribed to lower cholesterol and may cause fatigue by interfering with natural production of the nutrient CoQ10, which is important for energy metabolism. There is some evidence to suggest that discontinuing statins and starting on supplemental CoQ10 can improve energy (2). With the efficacy* of stains already called into question, the risks and benefits need to be considered before starting medication.

*Note: In primary prevention studies: Statins did not prevent total mortality. The frequency of cardiovascular events was reduced. However, the absolute risk reduction of 1.5% is small and means that 67 people have to be treated for 5 years to prevent one such event. Further analysis revealed that the benefit might be limited to high-risk men aged 30–69 years. Statins did not reduce total coronary heart disease events in 10,990 women in these primary prevention trials. Similarly, in 3239 men and women older than 69 years, statins did not reduce total cardiovascular events (3). Diet and lifestyle change should be the preventative treatment of choice as the magnitude of risk reduction is far greater.

References:

1.  Golomb BA, Evans MA, Dimsdale JE, White HL. Effects of Statins on Energy and Fatigue With Exertion: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Intern Med. 2012 Aug 13:1-2. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.2171. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen JO, Langsjoen AM, Lucas LA. Treatment of statin adverse effects with supplemental Coenzyme Q10 and statin drug discontinuation. Biofactors. 2005;25(1-4):147-52.
3. Abramson J, Wright JM. Are lipid-lowering guidelines evidence-based? Lancet. 2007 Jan 20;369(9557):168-9.