Mevacor and Muscle Pain

There are many side effects that can occur with Mevacor, and muscle pain is a common side effect that occurs in up to 3 percent of patients. Most people who have muscle pain while on Mevacor have no other muscle symptoms. However, in very rare cases, this muscle pain can be a sign of a serious muscle problem such as rhabdomyolysis (a serious condition that can ultimately lead to acute kidney failure). Be sure to notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, especially if you also have a fever or feel ill.

 

Mevacor and Muscle Pain: An Introduction

While most people tolerate Mevacor® (lovastatin) well, there are possible side effects that can occur. For people taking Mevacor, muscle pain is a common side effect. In previous clinical studies, muscle pain occurred in up to 3 percent of people taking Mevacor.
 

Mevacor and Muscle Pain -- What to Watch For

Most people who have muscle pain while on Mevacor have no other muscle symptoms. However, in rare cases (less than 0.2 percent), people can develop a serious problem with their muscles while on Mevacor, and muscle pain can be one of the symptoms. Two serious muscle problems that are rarely seen in people taking Mevacor are myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is very serious because it can cause muscles to break down. This can ultimately cause the kidneys to stop working properly (acute kidney failure) and, in some cases, result in loss of life.
 
If you develop muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking Mevacor (especially if you also have a fever or feel ill), call your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign that you have a serious condition that needs treatment right away.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;