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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Muscle Pain While On Pravastatin?

I am a 70 year old female who has been on a statin drug for over 20 years. The 40 mg pravastatin I am currently taking lowers my cholesterol to a good range. My problem is occasionally I have really bad muscle aches. I would then take only half the dosage for a few weeks and then go back to the 40 mg. This time for the last few weeks this has not worked and the 20 mg is still causing really bad muscle aches. Is there something else I can take?
Mon, 22 Jan 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

Pravastatin is a type of medication known as a statin. How statins cause muscle pain is not fully understood. One theory is that statins may affect a protein in muscle cells, which decreases muscle growth. Another theory is that statins decrease the levels of a natural substance in your body called coenzyme Q10. This substance helps your muscles produce energy. With less energy, your muscle cells may not be able to work properly.

Sometimes lowering the dose helps. You can also change the statin and start with a low dose (eg rosuvastatin 5mg). Some patients have less muscle pain with one type of statin than the other.

Kind Regards

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What Causes Muscle Pain While On Pravastatin?

Hello, Pravastatin is a type of medication known as a statin. How statins cause muscle pain is not fully understood. One theory is that statins may affect a protein in muscle cells, which decreases muscle growth. Another theory is that statins decrease the levels of a natural substance in your body called coenzyme Q10. This substance helps your muscles produce energy. With less energy, your muscle cells may not be able to work properly. Sometimes lowering the dose helps. You can also change the statin and start with a low dose (eg rosuvastatin 5mg). Some patients have less muscle pain with one type of statin than the other. Kind Regards