Statins have no overall effect on frequency or severity of muscle symptoms, study finds

Statins have no overall effect on the frequency or severity of muscle symptoms compared with placebo, according to a study published in The BMJ.1

The trial involved 200 people from 50 general practices in England and Wales who had recently stopped taking statins because of muscle symptoms (75.5%) or were considering stopping (24.5%). Each person was randomised to a sequence of six double blinded treatment periods (two months each) in which they received either 20 mg of atorvastatin daily or placebo.

Following the study, 66% (74 people) of those who attended the end of trial discussion (113) had already restarted taking statins or intended to resume the treatment.

Despite severe side effects being rare with the use of statins, many people think they cause …