What Causes Severe Joint Pain And Muscle Stiffness After Increasing Atorvastatin Dosage?

Posted on Mon, 19 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 Answered on

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 63 and in good health, although my Right Cardiac Artery is 100% blocked. My cardiologist recently increased my atorvastatin dose from 10 mg to 20 mg. He also has me take Lisinopril, Amlodapine, Metoprolol, Ranexa and baby aspirin. Suddenly, my knees and hips began to hurt terribly, get stiff, and the arthritis in those joints became so irritated and inflamed that, after exercise, I could not even walk. I want to get my joint health back without raising my cholesterol or hurting my heart function. What can I do?

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Diagnosis: Atorvostatin induced myositis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic

Worsening joint pain and muscle stiffness while on increased dose of atorvostatin raises the concern for atorvostatin induced myositis (muscle inflammation).
Blood test measuring creatine kinase level can confirm or rule out myositis.
Stopping atorvostatin for a short while will reverse this condition. When restarting cholesterol lowering medication, rosuvastatin which is in the same class but have lesser risk of myositis can be tried. Trying regimens like alternate dat rosuvastatin therapy and using fish oil and coenzyme q10 can greatly reduce the risk of myositis while on statin.
Please be advised to follow up with your treating physician to discuss possibility of atorvostatin induced myositis and appropriate management.

Hope this answers your question
Pleaseaddress further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng