Loading...Q. My doctor prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) even though my cholesterol level was OK. He wanted it even lower.
Please alert your readers that although atorvastatin may work well to lower cholesterol, the cure may be worse than the disease. Not only did I suffer muscle pain, fatigue and leg cramps, but I thought my testicles were on fire. The pain was excruciating. I have spoken with others who experienced similar problems.
A. Many people report muscle or joint pain and fatigue while taking statin-type cholesterol-lowering medicines. Although the official prescribing information lists urinary tract infections as a possible side effect, there is no mention of testicular pain.
We found one case report in the medical literature, however (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Jan. 2007). A 54-year-old man had achy testicles when he took lovastatin. He discontinued the drug and the pain disappeared. This experience was repeated with simvastatin and again with atorvastatin.
We discuss the pros and cons of statins and other ways to reduce cholesterol in our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health. There is also research to suggest that statins are associated with lower testosterone levels and hypogonadism (Journal of Sexual Medicine, April, 2010).
Charles
I have been taking Asparvor 20mg–the prescription I had been given by my doctor. After 4 months I developed a sensation in my testicles. I noted that it was not painful as such, but a sensation. I was very uncomfortable about this, and I went to the urologist who did the examination. He couldn’t find anything wrong in my testicles. Then he suggested I stop taking the statin for a while, as he suspected it to be a cause. Needless to say, it took 3 weeks without taking this pill. Then the pain disappeare. I have to add that muscle pain was also part of my suffering when I took Aspavor. But I am glad to report that it is true that Aspavor (atorvastatin) can cause testicular pain.
Tony F
Birdsboro, PA
Just discovered this site today 6/22/19 – underwent an exploratory heart catheter at a cardiologist’s suggestion in 9/18. Prior to the test, they changed my med to atorvastatin. To this day I thought they gave me a hernia while undergoing the test. Exploratory procedure was for nothing for a second time, as I had an acute rare reaction to a heart med that caused me to lose my breath. So underwent that procedure because of Amiodarone reaction.
In Oct/18 my one testicle swelled to size of a orange & underwent ultrasound, etc. searching for the cause. Been dealing with the pain since, but swelling somewhat subsided. Wil stop taking the Atorvastatin tomorrow to determine if my problem is from another drug reaction, and if so, two in matter of months. Amiodarone can be fatal!
dave
Texas
Saturday morning I woke to find my scrotal sack had DOUBLED in size since I went to bed!! What the hell had I done the day before?!! (Nothing that I could think of.) The “boys” were normal, BUT NOW THEY were floating in “Lake Superior.” The fluid-filled scrotum had tripled in weight.
I immediately phoned my on-call urologist for an emergency, EARLY Monday examine. Other ailments to discuss: chest pains & ‘ED.’
Then by accident, I land at this site at midnight AND realize that these are all side effects of starting pravastatin (Pravachol) about four months ago. Thank goodness I found this site. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R Waller
Three or four months after I started taking pravastatin (Pravachol) I began feeling fatigued, and then a month or so later my testicles began to swell and hurt. I have Celiac disease and several food intolerances (dairy, eggs and legumes) so, supposing that my diet was the source of my problems, I began experimenting with it and eliminated all vitamins and supplements as well, but to no avail. The fatigue and pains got worse. I had trouble sitting or standing up without hurting myself. My GP doc was no help. I tried my GI doc thinking it might be related to my small intestine (due to gluten damage from Celiac disease) but he was no help. Finally (!) it dawned on me to quit the pravastatin. Both problems were gone within a week and have not returned.
This was the third time in twenty years or so that I have tried and quit statin drugs at a doctor’s urging. Never again! I will gladly live with mildly elevated cholesterol (230) and not worry about the side effects of a drug that is supposed to make me better.
crandreww
For info on Relative versus Absolute Risk reduction: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Risks-of-Disease-Absolute-and-Relative.htm
crandreww
Very sorry to hear of additional Statin ill-effects. Since when is Cholesterol a disease or a condition? That is as preposterous as Oxygen being a disease. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in it. Cholesterol plays a vital role in SEVERAL biochemical processes, such as making Vitamin D, Steroid Hornones, Testosterone and several dozen other things. “High cholesterol” became a disease, when the National Cholesterol Education Project (NCEP) which aims to raise awareness and understanding about high blood cholesterol as a risk factor for CHD and the benefits of lowering cholesterol levels as a means of preventing CHD. How well is that working out for us? The jupiter trial which many pharma parroting physicians will quote, The trial showed that compared to patients taking the placebo, patients taking a statin had a 54% lower chance of heart attack, 48% lower chance of stroke, 46% lower chance of needing angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery, and a 20% lower chance of dying from any cause…THIS IS RELATIVE RISK REDUCTION…when the ABSOLUTE RISK REDUCTION WAS A PALTRY 0.4%….is this worth the risks of permanent muscle damage, permanent brain damage, death from Statin induced ALS or Kidney problems? I do not think so. What we are not being told are the ACTUAL risks versus the scant potential benefits. As a former Critical Care RN, I prided myself on knowing everything there was to know about a drug or procedure, my patient was to undergo, but the problem was, I LEARNED ALL OF MY DRUG KNOWLEDGE FROM DRUG REPS and SEMINARS, PUT ON BY DRUG REPS. They do not like to share Absolute risk reductions, because they know, why would anyone risk their health, and potenially their life, for a 0.4% reduction in the chance of having a heart attack. From Crestors own page, “In the JUPITER trial, CRESTOR 20 mg vs placebo demonstrated 1,2
54% relative risk reduction in myocardial infarction (P
Jeannie b.
Yes I took it too and I had night time leg cramp so bad I couldn’t sleep. It took 2weeks to get better when I stopped it.
LLE
I have been taking atorvastatin for several years. For about a year, I have had intermittent testicular pain. It is not constant, but testicles are very sensitive to the touch and sitting in certain positions causes pain.
Somrtimes out of nowhere, I will get a sharp stabbing pain in one or both. I have seen my GP and urinary doctors. but they can’t find any problem.
I never considered atorvastatin to be this kind of problem, but I’ll mention it to my doctor.