Atorvastatin and Muscle Aches: What Users Say

• Ros...
• April 1, 2019

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin 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."

• jba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I was started on this on a Tuesday and stopped taking it by Friday. I was only prescribed 10 mg a day. The first day I started feeling nauseated all day and was unable to eat. I started getting headaches and was so sleepy I could barely keep my eyes open. I stopped taking it and still have muscle cramps and pains. I emailed my doctor. Never in my life have I had high cholesterol. It's only a little above 200. But my doctor seems super worried, so tried me on a statin. I do not recommend statins to anyone. This was SUCH an awful experience."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin "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."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Side effects of atorvastatin included weight gain, muscle cramps, constant sore throat, and digestion/gas issues. Have stopped taking after 3 months of these issues - it's taken another 4 weeks of stomach pains to make a recovery. They did do the job as readings reduced from 6.1 to 4.1, but not worth the pain."

• cho...
• January 19, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Prescribed 10 mg. Side effects started with an upset stomach (improved by always taking with food). Within a couple of weeks, the side effects exploded. No idea of whether or not it improved my labs (they were not supposed to be drawn for two more weeks). I am a vegetarian (no meat of any kind, no dairy milk, but I do eat some dairy cheese and eggs) and also a licensed massage therapist (so I know 'normal' muscle tension or joint pain and how to improve it). My side effects (in no particular order): muscle cramps/pain/weakness/swelling/tightness, tiredness, diarrhea/intestinal cramping, increased ringing in the ears, and depression/angry mood swings. Three days without medication, and pain, etc., continues to improve."

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

Atorvastatin 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."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I had a heart attack, and my doc gave me this to take. Within days, I was worse off than before my heart attack. Always dizzy, confused, diarrhea, muscle cramps, short of breath, insomnia. I quit taking them, and I feel so much better now, and it's only been 4 days since I quit taking them. This script is horrible and needs to be taken off the market! Oh, also headaches every damn day, which I never ever had before."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

For High Cholesterol "67 years old, reasonably fit male until I had a mini stroke in Jan 17. In the hospital, they put me on 80 mg atorvastatin once a day. Within four weeks, every muscle in my body ached. Went to the doctors, and he reduced the dose to 40 mg a day. Another three weeks later, I couldn't get out of bed or walk due to aching muscles. Stopped taking them completely, and within three days, felt thirty percent better. Another three weeks have gone by, and still ache like hell. They might lower cholesterol for some people and be a godsend, but I never want to see another one in my life. They have ruined my way of life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Went on atorvastatin because I had a fully blocked vertebral artery in the back of my neck and a partially blocked vertebral artery that required a stent. Within three days, I started getting a flushing of the skin of my face and neck. Then the muscle soreness kicked in along with stiffness in other muscles. This gradually increased into neck muscles and finger muscles. I also developed weakness in all extremities. I was also in a fog at times, and it was difficult to concentrate at work. I also had trouble focusing my vision. All of this happened over the six weeks that I was taking the drug. Have to be on something to lower cholesterol until the stent is placed, so the doctor put me on another statin. However, I believe in quality of life over quantity of life, so if the new statin continues like the old one, I will stop taking them and switch to berberine, which the scientific studies I have seen show to be just as effective at reducing cholesterol. My doctor is okay with this plan."

• sap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Been taking 10 mg of atorvastatin for six months now. LDL was 188, now it is 95, so a 50% drop. Total cholesterol from 263 to 136, again nearly 50%. Triglycerides from 154 to 40, which is like 75%. The only not stellar number was my HDL (the good cholesterol), which actually dropped from 44 to 33. Even though most people's goes up slightly. While that is a concern, overall the improvement in my numbers has my cardiologist pleased enough to continue the protocol. For everyone who complains of the muscle aches and pains, you need to be taking ubiquinol, not simply CoQ10. I know if I go too many days without my ubiquinol, I can be susceptible to the muscle issues too. 200 mg of ubiquinol every day prevents this."

• Eze...
• June 12, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking atorvastatin for a couple of weeks now. HATE IT AND WILL STOP TODAY! I have a cough and stuffy nose (side effect), tight chest, tired all the time, muscle cramps, off-and-on diarrhea, sore throat, no need to say anymore. I've been put on several different kinds of meds for high cholesterol, and they all have side effects that I can't deal with. It's sad, but every doctor I've had has wanted to put me on these meds that make me sick. I'm gonna find foods that may help."

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

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin 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

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

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2009

Atorvastatin 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

Atorvastatin 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."

• pep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I started this last night at bedtime. Woke up with cramping and sore muscles in my legs, back, and sides."