Statins and CMT

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Statin medications from Oct. 2002 MDA Quest (Mentions CMT especially)

(repost from 2003)

Statins Can Cause Nerve and Muscle Problems

Medications used to lower blood cholesterol levels are associated with a

somewhat increased risk of damage to nerves and muscles, studies say.

The so-called statin drugs, with names like atorvastatin (Lipitor),

fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol) and

simvastatin (Zocor), are taken by millions of middle-aged and elderly

people and are considered highly

beneficial in protecting against cardiovascular disease when dietary and

other lifestyle measures fail.

However, several studies, including a large Danish study reported by

Gaist and colleagues in the May 14 issue of Neurology, suggest a

needed increase in awareness of

potential side effects of these popular drugs.

The Danish study found a slightly increased risk of nerve damage, while

other studies (such as one in the September 2001 issues of ls of

Pharmacotherapy and the journal

Epidemiology) have concentrated on muscle damage. All studies so far

have been done in patients without any underlying neuromuscular disease.

It isn't clear that people with neuromuscular diseases are unusually

susceptible to the nerve-or muscle-damaging effects of statins. However,

a worsening neuromuscular disease in someone taking a statin medication

could be a warning. Unusual muscle pain or cola-colored urine in someone

on a statin may indicate acute muscle destruction and should prompt an

immediate call to a physician.

" Statins need to be added to the list of potentially contraindicated

medications in patients with any type of neuropathy [nerve problem] or

any type of muscle disorder, but especially in patients with

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, " noted , a specialist in nerve

and muscle diseases who heads the MDA clinic at Our Lady of Lourdes

Hospital in Lafayette, La.