Lipitor and Joint Pain
Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) is a commonly prescribed medication manufactured by Pfizer. Lipitor is part of a group of medications known as statins. Doctors prescribe Lipitor to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels, lower triglyceride levels and increase "good" HDL levels.
However, statin medications, such as Lipitor, can cause muscle pain and inflammation, according to rheumatologist William C. Shiel Jr. He discovered that the risk of muscle injury increases when a statin drug is combined with other drugs such as niacin, gemfibrozil (Lopid) or fenofibrate (Tricor). Sometimes these non-statin medications are prescribed with a statin drug to further reduce cholesterol levels. The risk of muscle damage increases five to 25 times when a statin drug is used in combination with another cholesterol-lowering drug (another statin).
Other People Are Reading
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Joint Pain
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Joint soreness and pain are potential side effects of taking Lipitor. According to the website eMedTV, based on data from clinical studies, joint pain was seen in up to 5.1 percent of people taking the medication, depending on the Lipitor dosage. In these studies, joint pain occurred most frequently in those taking Lipitor 40 mg and least often in those taking Lipitor 20 or 80 mg."
In his MedicineNet.com article, Shiel suggests a connection between muscle pain and joint pain. "There are many diseases that are associated with inflammation of muscles," he wrote. "Many conditions may appear to involve muscles but may actually be a result of disease of the tendons, joints or bones."
Types
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Statin drugs can cause three types of muscle conditions: 1) minor muscle and joint aching; 2) muscle pain and mild muscle inflammation, with possible minor weakness; and 3) severe muscle inflammation causing pain and weakness throughout the body.
Minor muscle and joint aching typically ceases within a few weeks after you discontinue taking Lipitor. When muscle pain occurs with mild inflammation and possible minor weakness, blood tests reveal a mild elevation in the muscle enzyme, CPK. Elevated CPK levels can be reversed by discontinuing the medication; however, it might take several months for the muscle pain to completely subside.
In the case of severe muscle inflammation and damage, CPK levels are markedly increased. When this occurs, muscles release proteins into the blood that can collect in the kidneys causing damage to that organ. Left unchecked, this can lead to kidney failure and the possible need for dialysis. -
Research Findings
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Growing clinical evidence substantiates the theory that statin drugs can cause muscle and joint pain. A 2008 study conducted by Jill Slade, assistant professor of radiology and osteopathic manipulative medicine at Michigan State University used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess muscle functioning in 50 patients who were taking statin medications. Slade noted that while statins are beneficial in helping lower cholesterol, the effects of the drug "...can be problematic in places such as muscle cells."
The article cited another study conducted by the University of Alabama in which it was discovered that statin medications "may prevent skeletal muscle from repairing and regenerating normally due to the anti-proliferative effects of the drug."
Research findings raised the question as to whether or not patients experiencing muscle and joint problems, as a result of taking statins, are under-reporting the side effects of the medication. Under-reporting might be especially true of older patients, who could link their muscle and joint pain to the effects of aging rather than see it as a side effect of the statins.
Suggestions
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To alleviate minor joint pain or stiffness, use an over-the-counter pain relief medications, including acetaminophen, aspirin, or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. Relief may also be obtained by applying warm or dry heat to the effected area. Apply a warm, moist towel to your sore joint, soak in a warm bath, take a warm shower, or sit in a heated pool or whirlpool for 15 minutes. If you prefer dry heat, apply a heating pad to the effected joint. If you don't have poor circulation, cold packs can relieve the pain or numb the effected area, too. Wrap ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply to the effected joint.
Warning
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If your joint pain persists even after trying these pain relief suggestions, talk to your health care provider. He or she may adjust your Lipitor dosage or recommend that you switch to different cholesterol medication. The earlier you detect and address your symptoms, the better your chances of alleviating and reversing your joint pain.
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