Advice on Rosuvastain side effects and alternatives?

[Vanmane]

I am a 68 year old male and in 2020 I had OHS to replace a Bicuspid Aortic Valve and to repair an ascending aortic aneurysm. My recovery has overall been very good and eventually I have settled into a stable medication regime. I am currently on:

2.5mg Bisoprolol daily

25mg Ramipril twice a day

75mg Asprin daily

Throughout I have also been taking 20mg Rosuvastatin daily. Unfortunately I started to experience serve muscle pain in my upper arms, neck and shoulders. Although reluctant my Doctor agreed I could stop takng the Statin for a month or so to see if that was the cause.

Six weeks on the symptoms have definately reduced and I now realise the muscle wastage in my upper arms was quite significant.

I am hence very reluctant to return tomtaking the Rosuvastatin, however I am obviously concerned my cholestrial will rise and I will be at increased risk of stroke and other heart issues.

Has anyone had a similar issues and if so have any recommendations for different medications, alternative Statins or thoughts on Rosuvastatin dosage etc?

Sorry about the long post but I will be very grateful for any advice before I revert to my Doctor.

Many Thanks

[Hanibil]

Hi it’s a while ago now but am pretty sure it was Rosuvatatin that I had the same problem with, doctor switched me to Atorvastatin and the problems stopped.

[Vanmane in reply to Hanibil]

Thanks.

[benjijen]

Perhaps they could lower your dose? I was on atorvastatin for about 5 years and eventually could barely walk down my hallway. Also virtually no reduction in cholesterol levels. I was then tried on 5mg rosuvastatin and what a difference! My overall cholesterol is now a good level as well. It seems there isn't a one size fits all with these drugs so trial and error I'm afraid. I hope you find something suitable soon.

[Vanmane in reply to benjijen]

Thanks for sharing your experience. A lower dose may well be sensible. Since like you my cholesterol levels had reduced to normal levels.

[MountainGoat52]

I was prescribed Atorvastatin, Pravastatin and Simvastatin in succession, all of which caused muscle aches which were particularly prevalent during exercise. After a period f taking no statins I eventually agreed to trying Rosuvastatin... 10mg on alternate days. Initially it gave me a headache, but I stuck it out by taking half a dose, then increasing to the prescribed dosage. I am currently on 10mg daily with no side effects.

We are all different and it may be that one of the other statins might suit you better. An alternative approach might be to reduce your Rosuvastatin and take Ezetimibe alongside it. Your GP will be able to advise.

I am somewhat surprised that you still have some residual effect after six weeks of not taking the statin. When I was statin free for a period, the side effects disappeared fairly quickly. Also I did not suffer any muscle wastage. Presumably your muscle wastage was due to you not exercising because of the pain you were experiencing.

I hope you get this problem sorted soon. All the best,

Gerald

[Thaifan]

I to have had problems with statins. The last I was on was Rosuvaststin, on raising the dosage symptoms became worse. I stopped taking them and within days felt so much better. I have now been referred to a lipid clinic for an alternative.

[Jojobeanz]

Hello Ramipril made me cough uncontrollably for months. It was very worrying. Changed meds much better. Are you coughing?

[Mart25]

I take Atorvastatin 40mg without problems but the statin alone didn't lower my cholesterol enough. So I asked if I could try a combination of statin plus 10mg ezetimibe. This does the job for me. Ezetimibe lowers cholesterol by a different mechanism and needs to be combined with a statin. So you may be better off with a lower dose of statin plus ezetimibe. Ezetimibe is an option approved by NICE. Worth a discussion with your GP?