"CSM advice (muscle effects)
The CSM has advised that rhabdomyolysis associated with lipid-regulating drugs such as the fibrates and statins appears to be rare (approx. 1 case in every 100 000 treatment years) but may be increased in those with renal impairment and possibly in those with hypothyroidism (see also notes above). Concomitant treatment with drugs that increase plasma-statin concentration increase the risk of muscle toxicity; concomitant treatment with a fibrate and a statin may also be associated with an increased risk of serious muscle toxicity."
This is taken from the British National Formulary - "the drug book" for UK doctors, dentists and pharmacists (as well as anyone else who has any involvement in prescribing or working with medical drugs). The CSM is the Committee on the Safety of Medicines.
In essence it means the likelihood of the serious adverse reaction, rhabdomyolysis, is very rare. 1 in 100,000 treatment years i.e. if 100,000 people took these drugs for 1 year, 1 person would have this reaction.
The meaning of the second statement is that if you also take drugs which interact to cause the level of statins in your blood (anti cholesterol drugs) to rise then the likelihood of muscle problems rises. Which is fairly obvious as it is analogous to taking a higher dose.
A fibrate is an alternative to a statin and is also a cholesterol lowering drug, sometimes used instead of a statin, sometimes used in addition to a statin. In this second type of use the taking of both fibrates and statins together is associated with increased risk of problems.
So in conclusion it seems that although statins and fibrates have small risks of serious problems they are prescribed to ward against the much higher risks, in those persons with high cholesterol, of heart disease and stroke. Anyone concerned about why they are taking statins or whether they are risky ought to discuss the matter with their GP.
