Lipitor and Muscle Aches: What Users Say

• Ros...
• April 1, 2019

For High Cholesterol "5 urgent care and 2 ER trips, and no one related the Lipitor to my pains. I had bad muscle cramps everywhere. Muscle cramps causing pain in glute muscles that had me in physical therapy. Itching and tingling on face and extremities. Also pain in various muscles that concludes with lasting aches and difficulty with motion. Fatigue too. Been on for over a year then looked up side effects and called my doctor. Took statin-specific blood test and have to have test to see if my muscle fibers have broken down. I'm a walking side effect commercial...and it's not fun."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I took Lipitor for three months, then went through an unbelievably bad time for 3 years due to side effects. I had myopathy, neuropathy, rashes, upset stomach, extreme muscle pain, ED, constipation, arthritis, short-term memory loss, could not lift my arms above my head, and horrible fatigue."

• Kat...
• August 27, 2013

For High Cholesterol "Took Lipitor for about 5 years. It kept my lipids under control well, but developed really bad leg aching and muscle cramps, especially at night. Went off it and within a week, all these reactions disappeared."

• her...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2022

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "My experience with this drug was not very good. I was prescribed 10 mg, 1 tablet to be taken per day. I was healthy with normal blood pressure and walked and exercised probably 4 miles per day and was generally fit and healthy. I was unable to take the tablet every day and ended up having to skip days because of the side effects. On day 3, it gave me a dizzy feeling and a sense of anger, like wanting to snap at someone for no reason. Day 4 was a spacey feeling, like floating, and generally feeling like I had no desire to want to do anything. I went out for a walk and got the most terrible muscle cramps in the calves, which came and went. Also, a panic anxiety feeling that lasted about a minute, which felt like I was going to die, and a general feeling of not being well. Then the doctor said to take it every other day, and this was causing me insomnia where I would sleep for an hour then be awake for 4 hours trying to sleep. Also, very low sex drive and a feeling like I was being poisoned. Eventually, I came off it."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

For High Cholesterol "I was placed on Lipitor 10 mg after trying all of the other cholesterol-reducing drugs. I developed, after three days, a very stiff neck and overall muscle soreness. The doctor ordered a CPK test and my levels are off. She discontinued me on this medication. It must not be suitable for everyone. I will continue with my diet and exercise. My cholesterol must be hereditary since I follow Weight Watchers, have lost weight, and I exercise daily."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2023

"I took Lipitor for nearly two weeks under the doctor’s recommendation. I had to stop taking the medication as I had adverse side effects of severe muscle pain in my shins and upper arms. I felt extremely tired and dizzy, and my memory slowed. I am no longer taking this medication."

• DRW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I was prescribed Lipitor by a GP, due to my high LDL cholesterol level. I was in excellent condition, BMI under 25, surfing and bike riding daily. Within 24 hours of my first pill, I experienced joint pains. I have osteoarthritis, so I assumed it was just a flare-up. The next day, I had muscle soreness and weakness. The third day, all this was worse; realizing it had to be the Lipitor, I stopped taking the pills and consulted a specialist. I had dark urine. It was determined that I had rhabdomyolysis. I ended up losing 5 lbs of muscle mass, and it took weeks for me to recover from the extreme weakness and fatigue. The specialist told me that if I had continued to take the Lipitor for a few more days, I probably would have been in a very serious condition."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2021

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "I took this for 2+ months after taking 40 mg Crestor for years, and it started causing muscle cramps. The doc gave me Lipitor 80 mg, which caused severe myopathy and was so bad for me I thought it was the end of me!!! 54-year-old male on Crestor 40 mg for 15 years and stable at 200 total cholesterol. I think they gave me too strong a dose too quickly."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2022

For High Cholesterol "I began taking atorvastatin after cardiac bypass surgery. Four arteries 75%+ blocked. Starting at 40 mg, my LDL cholesterol level dropped dramatically, and my HDL climbed slightly. Had some issues with muscle cramping, especially in legs, so Dr. cut dosage to 20 mg. After 6 months on lower dosage, my HDL is 58, LDL is 42, triglycerides are 56, total cholesterol 106. Cardiac doc says these are great numbers, and muscle problems are minimal, with no other side effects. Heart surgery is no fun at all, do what you can to avoid it."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2009

For High Cholesterol "Lipitor gave huge muscle cramps in my legs, sides, and stomach."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

For High Cholesterol "Suffered from memory loss/lapse and muscle aches/cramps in my legs. Switched to Crestor and have had no side effects at all."

• jpc...
• March 10, 2010

For High Cholesterol "Works well at lowering lipids when combined with Niaspan. Had to discontinue because of cognitive disorders and severe muscle pain. No rhabdo, however."