Crestor and Muscle Pain: What Users Say

• On...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "My P.A. insisted I take this drug because of high cholesterol, despite my having taken a different statin drug at an earlier time and have had to give it up due to muscle pain. I took Rosuvastatin for years. The P.A.'s advice was to start drinking coffee to give me more energy. That only made me hyper. A friend looked up the side effects of all my meds and told me to stop taking Rosuvastatin which I did. Lo and behold, I can now get off the couch, get up on time, and feel like a whole different person. If I die from high cholesterol at least I will have been alive again before dying."

• Tru...
• August 30, 2019

For High Cholesterol "Delayed side effects. Took years to realize statins (including Crestor) give me memory loss big time and muscle pain and mood issues. And now I'm discovering risk from high LDL is massively exaggerated. Having sufficient HDL and low triglycerides are what matter. If you know someone losing memory, ask them to think back if it started getting worse within a year of starting statins. Why? Because someone once did that for me."

• Bat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2020

For High Cholesterol "I lost my thyroid to cancer and have been experiencing extremely high cholesterol ever since. Yes, low thyroid hormones can increase your cholesterol levels. I started Crestor (5mg), the lowest dose I could go on, and I have experienced just about every bad reaction you could possibly get. At first, it did not register in my head that my INCREASE in muscle pains, ankle pains, pin-point bleeding on lower legs, and memory issues along with crazy breathlessness could be related to the Crestor, until I forgot to take it and ALL of my pains disappeared. I still didn’t connect the dots until I took the Crestor again and again I got these crippling pains. I stopped the pill and pains disappeared. I did this several times and each time the same results. Overall, this drug reduced my cholesterol levels, but not significantly since my dose was so low. The crippling pain was hardly worth it!"

• ald...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I was prescribed Crestor 10mg as my cholesterol was high, even though my blood pressure was normal. I experienced mild muscle and joint pain during the first 3 months. As it affected my liver function, as shown in blood test results, my GP advised me to lower the dose to 5mg. To save costs, I purchased 10mg generic brand and took it every other day. After 2 months, I noticed I had dark urine and quite severe upper arm/shoulder pain. After stopping the medication, my urine reverted to normal color, however, I am still having arm/shoulder pain after 3 months. Not sure if the pain will go away or will be permanent! I would never take Crestor or any statin again."

• Pca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Was on simvastatin for two years. Had angina and two stents put in. It has now been 5 months on Crestor 20mg and Brilinta. Went to cardio rehab for 12 weeks. During cardio rehab, I noticed how sore my hips were getting even hours later off the treadmill. The joint aches and muscle pain are all over my body. The cardio doctor thinks it's Brilinta and Crestor interaction, but all the other doctors say it's probably Crestor. I can't sleep at night and when I get up, I'm so stiff and sore all over. So I'm going to back off the Crestor and hope I can recover."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For High Cholesterol "My husband was given Crestor after a heart attack. Within four weeks, he became seriously ill with nausea, no appetite, pain in upper abdomen, headaches, and muscle pain. Within three days of its removal, he was fine with none of the above symptoms. I will be watching his meds in the future."

• lap...
• December 31, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Due to an elevated cholesterol, my doctor started me with Crestor 5mg that was quickly increased to 10mg. My LDL almost halved, while triglycerides doubled and total cholesterol fell from 7.2 to 4.6. For 3 years, regular liver function tests said all was okay. An acute event marked by fever, muscle aches, headache, dark urine, inability to sleep, and total loss of appetite prompted my doctor to order blood tests, an X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan. I stopped taking Crestor immediately. The outcome of numerous tests could not apportion blame to flu, mosquito-borne causes, etc. Tests did show liver function had been walloped. The liver was diagnosed as fatty and enlarged - several markers had risen alarmingly! A month later, and liver function is much better."

• Obs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2017

For High Cholesterol "CRESTOR 20mg - STARTED TAKING ON Jan 14, 2015, TWO YEARS AGO. Approx. Dec 2016, started to have noticeable pain in legs - meanwhile, playing tennis 3 times a week. On Feb 21, 2017, cardiologist would not eliminate Crestor or substitute but said to go to 1/2 dosage, which I did. It's effective. Will review in 4 months with cardiologist. MUSCLE ACHES SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ATHLETES WITH THIS STATIN - MAYBE OTHER STATINS TOO. 11/01/2016 - Recognized leg pain - both lower legs as a problem. 12/19/16 - Saw sports medicine doctor at Penn - Naproxen scripted. 02/21/17 - Talked with cardiologist about continuing, both lower leg pain, now reduced to 10mg - PAIN REDUCED QUICKLY AFTER LOWER DOSAGE and remains minimal NOW"

• moo...
• October 4, 2009

For High Cholesterol, Familial Heterozygous "Crestor worked wonderfully in reducing my cholesterol. It worked quickly, and I was very happy with my lab results. Unfortunately, I had to stop taking Crestor because I developed severe muscle pain and aching in my legs, as I did with several of the other statin drugs."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Crestor lowered my cholesterol, but the muscle pain in my back was intolerable. So I finally started taking CoQ10, and the back pain went away. But for the following two years, I thought I had shin splints. It was the Crestor."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

For High Cholesterol "Crestor lowered my cholesterol, but the muscle pain in my back was intolerable. So I finally started taking CoQ10, and the back pain went away. But for the following two years, I thought I had shin splints. It was the Crestor."

• 721...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2023

"I experienced muscle pain in my legs and arms while taking previous statins. I found out if CoQ10 supplement is taken every day along with the statin, the pain goes away. I tried that, and it works! I now take Crestor along with taking the CoQ10 and have no problems. Just so you know, doctors will not talk to you about supplements. At least mine never did!"

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2009

For High Cholesterol "I used Crestor for about 3 weeks before I started having muscle and joint pain. Then I began having horrible spasms in my muscles that would wake me every night. I called my doctor's office and they told me to take 1/2 a pill every other day. I did as he suggested, but didn't get relief until I was taken off this medicine. It did, however, lower my numbers."

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2020

For High Cholesterol "Between Crestor and Lipitor, Lipitor was the one that gave me the side effects, cramps that felt like a UTI. Insomnia and a few other muscle pains here and there. Also felt it affected my libido. Doctor switched me to Crestor, so far, no side effects, maybe some bizarre dreams that some would describe as “nightmares,” but I love dreaming any type of dream.....lol....I believe finding the right statin might take a few different brands until you find the right one. I’m on 10 mg Crestor."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2023

For High Cholesterol "CNP switched me from 10 mg Zetia to 40 mg Crestor. It did bring my cholesterol numbers in a good range, but I had serious side effects. Mainly higher glucose, foamy urine (protein and blood in urinalysis), muscle and joint pain, fatigue. I was told to stop taking it to see if things got better. After 1 week off this drug, my urine looks normal again. I'm hoping the rest of these side effects will disappear soon! Not going back on Crestor, I will work on diet and exercise for healthy cholesterol levels."

• jks...
• July 3, 2010

For High Cholesterol "Less than 7 days after beginning Crestor, I had debilitating muscle pain and weakness in my legs. 5 weeks following and treatment by a neurologist who prescribed Lyrica, I am beginning to regain strength in my legs, but I continue to have pain, especially on the right side."

• Blu...
• December 4, 2010

For High Cholesterol "While Crestor reduced my cholesterol on the 10 mg dose, the side effects, including foggy thinking, personality change, no pep or enthusiasm, muscle pains, night gagging sessions, and constipation, led me to get my medication changed to Lipitor. With Lipitor, I have had no side effects worth mentioning after 3 months. If I had had fewer side effects, then I would have been happy to stay on it."

• Pja...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2020

For High Cholesterol "My total cholesterol level was around 258, now at 148. This was after 2 years and 2 months. In 10 months, from 258 to 184. So Crestor worked for me. Do have some side effects: mild dizziness, some muscle pain, and occasional cramping in the legs. The effectiveness of this drug outweighs the side effects. So I'd have to give it a thumbs up despite the side effects."

• Tec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2022

For Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "I take 10 mg Crestor EOD (Every Other Day). My cholesterol is 221, with HDL and triglycerides normal, but an LDL of 169. 42-year-old male, moderately active. The first three weeks were the worst, even taking every other day, with the brain fog and joint/muscle pain. But going on two months now, it has mostly resolved. I actually feel better after two months, I am not sure if high cholesterol can make you feel lousy, but I'm just stating I feel different in a good way. Side note: Crestor is supposed to lower your blood pressure a little too. Anyway, if this medicine bugs you, take it every other day or every two days. It will still work well. It is a very strong statin. Best part, my insurance pays for it all! Cost me $0.00. If you want the benefits of statins, you have to take the bad with the good. The side effects will resolve and aren't that bad. Stick with it!"

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2009

For High Cholesterol "So far, so good - had to lower dosage to 5 mg since I did get some pain in my feet and tingling in the hands. I've tried Lipitor, Vytorin, and Zocor. All gave me a problem with muscle pain, some in a few months, others after a year or more."

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2018

For High Cholesterol "Destroyed my muscles. Started in legs and spread. Stopped taking two years ago and muscle pain and weakness has not improved. Some recent studies suggest may be permanent. Statins are poison."

• red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2012

For High Cholesterol "Terrible joint and muscle pain. Must stop it. Did take down my cholesterol a lot."

• G-B...
• December 28, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Unbearable muscle pain, both wrists, both arms, shoulders, right side, numbness in feet. I missed 1 dose and had no pain that's what brought me to this site to read the side effects."

• Mis...
• March 11, 2010

For High Cholesterol "Caused severe muscle pain and weakness. I was sleeping 10 hours."

• Fra...
• December 7, 2008

For Atherosclerosis "I have used Crestor for over one year and find it to be an excellent drug for my condition. I was using Lipitor which gave me muscle pain as a side effect."