There are different symptoms you may experience. If statin side effects become an issue, the prescription can often be tweaked. 15. Statin intolerance occurs when a person develops side effects from statin use. Guidance For Managing Suspected Statin Intolerance Background Statin intolerance is defined as “the presense of clinically significant adverse effects from statin therapy that are considered to represent an unacceptable risk to the patient or that may result in compliance with … For the Supplementary Data which include background information and detailed discussion of the data that have provided the basis for the Guidelines see https:// However, although adherence to statins improves morbidity and mortality (1), it remains suboptimal (2). Statins are considered very effective in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in high-risk patients. Definition of Statin Intolerance •Intolerance to initial statin therapy is defined by NICE as the presence of clinically significant adverse effects that represent an unacceptable risk to Lancet. Roughly 5% to 10% of statin users develop statin intolerance, and because statin use is expected to increase--especially after recent updated guidelines have expanded the statin benefit groups--adverse effects from statins will become a growing issue. Statins: new American guidelines for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The most common is muscle pains or … One of the most important causes of nonadherence is the so-called statin intolerance, mainly because of muscle-related symptoms. “For most people who say that they're statin intolerant, there's usually an option,” says Orkaby, who adds that there are some that are considered lower or moderate intensity. “It's finding the sweet spot of what works for every patient." Indeed statin discontinuation is significantly associated with negative media coverage. When muscle pains and/or an elevation of the creatine kinase appear, the dose must be lowered in patients with slight symptoms or stopped altogether if the symptoms are more severe. Ridker PM, Cook NR. In recent years statins have become an established option in lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy despite the fact that statin intolerance is fairly common. 2013;382(9907):1762–1765. statin intolerant ’ too quickly.