Side effect of statins - anyone notice worsening itchy rash?

[Buffafly]

My husband was prescribed statins after a mini stroke. He was happy to take them but his 'varicose eczema' has got much worse and spread to his arms and the itching is driving him mad. The GP keeps giving him moisturiser with blasts of cortisone cream sometimes. I have just discovered statins can cause an itchy rash. Has anyone else experienced this effect?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

It would be extremely unlikely for the statin (which one is he on?) to cause a rash - the most common side effect is muscle ache. Is he taking any other meds? Sometimes side effects are caused by combinations of drugs.

[Buffafly in reply to MichaelJH]

Only other medication is Clopidogrel. I looked up statins on the NHS website and itchy rash was listed in the side effects, though I don't think mentioned in the leaflet with Simvastin. Unfortunately there are no dermatologists in our area!

[jimmyq in reply to Buffafly]

Could the itching be a side-effect of the Clopidogrel?

[Zena166]

Hi. It maybe good to try another statin such as Atorvastatin or Pravastatin. Simvastatin is one of the ‘older’ statins. It’s miserable itching all the time. Have you tried putting a moisturiser on? But keep it in the fridge the cooling helps or you can get an oil based calomine lotion not the normal one as that dries on the skin. Again Keep it in the fridge it’s very soothing. Hope he gets it sorted. Best wishes Zena

[Buffafly in reply to Zena166]

Thanks, I'll clear a space! I had another look at the Simvador leaflet and it does mention itchy rash in with another side effect, so I suggested stopping the statin for a bit to see what happens as my husband was given the choice whether to take or not. He was reluctant so I'm afraid I lost a bit of sympathy then.....

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

No that's not in then! The (rare) interaction I was thinking about is between statins and the *pril family of BP medication. Because of the PAD I suffer with very dry itchy skin on the lower part of the leg. The prescribed moisturisers were not that effective but I have found Epaderm effective. Could be worth a try. As mentioned in another post storing moisturiser in the fridge provides more instantaneous relief.