What are the side effects of stopping statins suddenly?

Key takeaways

• Suddenly stopping statins may lead to serious side effects, including an increase in cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
• People may consider stopping statins due to side effects such as headache, dizziness, muscle pain, and digestive issues.
• If you would like to stop taking statins, talk with a doctor about nonstatin medications or lifestyle strategies to help manage your cholesterol levels.

Overview

Statins are medications used to help treat high cholesterol. When your cholesterol level reaches a recommended range, or your medication is causing uncomfortable side effects, you may consider stopping taking statins. But there are factors to consider before doing so.

This is because suddenly stopping statins may lead to serious issues like an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Working with a healthcare professional to learn more about the risks of stopping statins suddenly and alternative treatments can help you find a treatment plan that works for you.

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Side effects of stopping statins suddenly

Stopping statins suddenly is not recommended. In fact, healthcare professionals discourage it. This is because stopping suddenly can lead to adverse effects, such as:

• increase in cholesterol levels
• increased risk of heart disease
• increased risk of stroke

This is known as a rebound effect, where your original symptoms return after stopping the medication. It’s also known as statin withdrawal syndrome, although you may not notice any other withdrawal symptoms.

What’s more, if you have a history of cardiovascular events, suddenly discontinuing statins may increase the risk of complications, such as heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. 

However, this doesn’t mean you cannot stop taking this medication — you can, but you will likely need to follow certain steps to make sure you do so safely. These include:

• speaking with a doctor before changing your medication schedule
• slowly tapering your statin use by reducing your dosage incrementally, always with the supervision of a doctor
• switching to other medications
• modifying your diet and getting more exercise

Why stop taking statins? 

Statins are a type of medication that helps lower cholesterol. Some common statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor).

Some people may experience uncomfortable side effects while taking statins. This is one of the common reasons for stopping the medication. According to a 2019 study, the number of people taking the medication drops to less than 50% after 1 year.

Statins can cause side effects such as:

• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea
• tiredness and weakness
• digestive system problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, or gas
• muscle pain
• sleep problems
• low blood platelet count

Some less common side effects include:

• inflammation of the liver and pancreas
• reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction
• hair loss
• problems with memory 
• peripheral neuropathy, or loss of sensation in the hands and feet

Other reasons people may consider stopping statins include:

• Cost: Statins are medications that a doctor typically prescribes long term. Some people may consider stopping the medication due to its accumulated cost. In these cases, consider contacting a healthcare professional to learn about available resources that may help with the cost of the medication.  
• Pregnancy: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people who are pregnant to avoid statins. A 2021 study found that statins may lead to preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns when pregnant people take the medication. 
• Other health conditions: People who have other health conditions, such as liver disease, may not benefit from statins. You can speak with a healthcare professional if you have concerns. 
• Doctor guidance: People may stop statins on a healthcare professional’s recommendation. They may advise switching medications to manage cholesterol levels. 

Other treatments for high cholesterol 

To manage your cholesterol levels, you can consider other treatment options, such as:

• Nonstatin medications: Your doctor may prescribe nonstatin medications, such as:
  • cholesterol absorption inhibitors like ezetimibe (Zetia)
  • proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, such as alirocumab (Praluent), evolocumab (Repatha), or inclisiran (Leqvio)
  • adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors like bempedoic acid (Nexletol)
  • bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran), colesevelam (Welchol), or colestipol (Colestid)
• Supplements: For example, L-carnitine, CoQ10, fenofibric acid, omega-3, and niacin.
• Lifestyle strategies: Various lifestyle measures can be helpful, such as:
  • eating a balanced diet low in fats and sugar
  • exercising regularly
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • reducing stress
  • getting enough sleep
  • avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, if necessary

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Summary

Statins are medications that help lower cholesterol. They can cause side effects like nausea, headaches, vomiting, and weight gain. 

Some people may consider stopping statins due to uncomfortable side effects, cost, or other health conditions that are negatively affected by statins, such as type 2 diabetes and pregnancy.

If you’re considering stopping statins, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional first. They can advise you whether this is the route to go, guide you through the process of coming off statins slowly, and prescribe other cholesterol-lowering medications.

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