Peripheral neuropathy and statins

[Guest guest]

Prescrire Int. 2007 Dec;16(92):247-8.

Peripheral neuropathy and statins.

[No authors listed]

(1) Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs extensively used in

cardiovascular prevention. Their most well-known adverse effect is

muscle damage, including rhabdomyolysis.

(2) Several cases of peripheral polyneuropathy attributed to a

statin have been published or reported by pharmacovigilance centres.

(3) They included sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy with signs

of sensory impairment, and a decrease or sometimes a suppression of

osteotendinous reflexes. Some patients also had a marked reduction

in muscle strength in the affected limb(s). Renal failure and

diabetes appear to increase the risk of this adverse effect.

(4) Epidemiological studies and clinical trials have shown that this

adverse effect is rare, affecting only about one patient in 10 000

treated for one year.

(5) After ruling out other possible causes of peripheral neuropathy,

statin withdrawal often leads to clinical improvement.