Do statins have side effects?
Like all medicines, statins carry potential side effects,but the side effects of statins are usually mild, easy to recognise, reversible and very rarely dangerous. Statins are among the safest drugs and one of the most studied medicines available today. Some people experience muscle pain, but this usually stops soon after taking the statin. If it doesn’t, you should tell your GP. Your GP may want to reduce the dose of the statin or switch to a different one. Very rarely, muscles can leak protein that may build up in the kidneys. This can cause a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. It is very rare and affects about one in every 100,000 people.
