Patients taking the lipid-lowering medications atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin to reduce cholesterol levels, have a relatively low risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, (a disorder that causes the breakdown of muscle), according to a new study in the December 1 issue of JAMA.
However, older patients with diabetes mellitus taking combined statin-fibrate therapy appear to be at an increased risk for rhabdomyolysis. And patients who were taking cerivastatin combined with fibrates had a significantly higher risk of about one in 10 treated patients each year. Cerivastatin was removed from the U.S. market in 2001 because of high reporting of rhabdomyolysis in association with its use. The study to be published in the December 1 issue of JAMA is being released early online today because of its relevance to current events.
Disorders of muscle are among the most discussed adverse effects associated with the use of lipid-lowering agents (statins), according to background information in the article. Fibric acid derivatives (fibrates) have also been associated with primary muscle injury, especially when used in combination with a statin.
David J. Graham, M.D., M.P.H., from the Food and Drug Administration, and colleagues, analyzed claims data from 11 managed care health plans across the United States for patients on statins alone (monotherapy) or combined statin-fibrate therapy between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2001.