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However, the evidence as to whether statins cause fatigue appears to be mixed. More than 1 in 4 people taking statin medications report some side effects, with the most common being muscle aches or weakness. Different statins may vary in terms of the side effects they produce. Read on to learn more about statins, fatigue, and how to manage fatigue when taking statins. Overview Share on PinterestMickey Cashew/Getty ImagesStatins are medications that can help reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). People sometimes refer to LDL cholesterol as “bad” cholesterol and HDL cholesterol as “good” cholesterol. If a person has too much LDL cholesterol in their blood, it can clog the arteries and increase the risk of developing a number of conditions, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Statins reduce the production of LDL cholesterol inside the liver, which can lower a person’s risk of heart-related conditions. Some of the statins available on prescription in the United States include:atorvastatin (Lipitor)fluvastatin (Lescol)lovastatin (Altoprev or Mevacor)pravastatin (Pravachol)rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor)simvastatin (Zocor) Who needs statins Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) suggest that various groups of people make suitable candidates for statins. A healthcare professional may prescribe statins to the following people:those with a diagnosis of cardiovascular diseasethose with high levels of LDL cholesterol that are equal to or greater than 190 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)those who are aged 40–75 years, live with diabetes, and have levels of LDL cholesterol over 70 mg/dlthose aged 40–75 years with an LDL cholesterol level over 70 mg/dl, alongside an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease or having a heart attack at some point in the next 10 years Can they cause fatigue The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) notes that feeling unusually tired, being physically weak, and experiencing sleep problems are common side effects of statins. An older 2012 randomized controlled trial found that statins can have negative effects on people’s energy levels and worsen fatigue during exertion. The results of controlled studies suggest that the following statins may cause fatigue in some people:Lescol: Fatigue affected 2.7% of 2,326 participants.Pravachol: Fatigue affected 3.4% of 902 participants. Research from 2015 found that statins did not have a significant effect on sleep duration and efficiency. However, in certain controlled studies, some participants reported insomnia after taking the following statins:Lipitor: Based on any dose, 3% of 8,755 participants reported insomnia as a side effect.Lovastatin: Insomnia occurred in between 0.5 and 1% of 8,245 participants. Crestor: Insomnia and nightmares may occur.Zocor: Out of 2,221 participants, 4% reported insomnia. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that in rare cases, statins may have an association with liver problems. A person should contact a healthcare professional immediately if they are taking statins and experience unusual fatigue or weakness alongside:appetite losspain in the upper bellyyellowing of the skin or whites of the eyesdark-colored urine How do they cause fatigue Research indicates that statins may reduce the supply of energy to the cells in the muscles, which could cause people to feel tired. However, scientists are not yet sure why statins can lead to fatigue in some people. More research is necessary to determine the cause. Other side effects of statins According to the NHS, most people tolerate statins well and do not experience any problems. However, side effects can occur, and they will vary depending on the particular statin. Among those taking the standard dosage of statins, 50–100 per 10,000 people may experience symptomatic side effects over 5 years. Other than fatigue, common side effects include:headachesnauseaconstipationindigestionflatulencediarrheamuscle painlow blood platelet count Uncommon side effects include:vomitinghair lossmemory problemspins and needlesliver inflammation, or hepatitispancreas inflammation, or pancreatitisacneitchy rasherectile dysfunctionloss of libido Rare side effects include:myopathy, or muscle weaknessperipheral neuropathy, which is the term for tingling and a loss of sensation in the hands and feetproblems with the tendons Tips on managing fatigue Certain lifestyle adjustments may help people manage fatigue. These include:Diet: People should eat regularly throughout the day. Limiting the gap between meals and nutritious snacks to 3–4 hours may help increase energy levels. People should also drink more water and reduce their intake of caffeine and alcohol.Exercise: Regular exercise can help increase a person’s energy levels. People should aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity physical activity, although those new to exercise should begin with a lower amount and build it up over time.Sleep: Getting sufficient high quality sleep is important, and practicing good sleep hygiene may help people achieve this. For example, they can try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. It is also important to avoid naps and make time to unwind before going to bed.Reduce stress: If possible, people can try doing exercise, listening to music, reading, and practicing yoga to reduce stress levels. People should never stop taking statins unless a doctor advises it. Stopping taking statins can severely increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease. Healthcare professionals may recommend switching statin medications if a person is experiencing high levels of fatigue. When to contact a doctor Before prescribing statins, a doctor should discuss the potential side effects and risks of the medication with the individual. Anyone who experiences unexplained fatigue or muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness that is not the result of physical activity should contact a doctor. Summary Statins are associated with various side effects, including fatigue and muscle aches. If someone has side effects for an extended period, they should discuss the next steps with a doctor. People should never stop taking statins unless under the supervision of a doctor. Suddenly stopping statins can seriously increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Last medically reviewed on May 26, 2022CholesterolStatinsDrugs 18 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Allard, N. A. E., et al. (2017). Statins affect skeletal muscle performance: Evidence for disturbances in energy metabolism. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/103/1/75/4364961Benefits of physical activity. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htmBroncel, M., et al. (2015). Sleep changes following statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled polysomnographic trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624738/Controlling cholesterol with statins. (2017). https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/controlling-cholesterol-statinsFDA drug safety communication: Important safety label changes to cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. (2016). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-important-safety-label-changes-cholesterol-lowering-statin-drugsGolomb, B. A., et al. (2012). Effects of statins on energy and fatigue with exertion: Results from a randomized controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4285455/Grundy, S. M., et al. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625Hla, D., et al. (2018). Assessing severity of statin side effects: Fact versus fiction. https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2018/04/09/13/25/assessing-severity-of-statin-side-effectsLabel: Crestor - rosuvastatin calcium tablet, film coated. (2022).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=325a5d0e-9a72-4015-9fcd-1655fb504ceeLabel: Lescol - fluvastatin sodium capsule. (2011). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e38126a5-9d6a-422f-812c-a01610108162Label: Lipitor - atorvastatin calcium tablet, film coated. (2021).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c6e131fe-e7df-4876-83f7-9156fc4e8228Label: Lovastatin tablet. (2021). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7b86160d-74a9-4774-b5b3-5641e686991fLabel: Pravastatin sodium tablet. (2022). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6c011348-a236-47d3-bbef-3e0b956dd080Label: Zocor - simvastatin tablet, film coated. (2022). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8f55d5de-5a4f-4a39-8c84-c53976dd6af9Rea, F., et al. (2021). Cardiovascular outcomes and mortality associated with discontinuing statins in older patients receiving polypharmacy.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2780952Self-help tips to fight tiredness. (2021). https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/self-help-tips-to-fight-fatigue/Side effects: Statins. (2018). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins/side-effects/The scoop on statins: What do you need to know? (2021).https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/learn-prevent/scoop-on-statins.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — By Hana Ames — Updated on May 26, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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