There’s no conclusive evidence that Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, prevents statin medication side effects. Your prescribing doctor can discuss options for managing side effects from statins.
Medically reviewed by Alisha D. Sellers, BS Pharmacy, PharmD
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell in your body. It comes in two main forms: ubiquinol and ubiquinone.
Your body can create it on its own from certain nutrients. You can also find it in supplement form or get it directly from foods like meat, legumes, and nuts.
CoQ10 plays a vital role in energy production. It also has antioxidant properties.
Statins are a class of prescription medications that help improve cholesterol levels. Statins block the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which helps your liver make cholesterol.
They also help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by increasing LDL receptors in liver cells.
While statins are effective in reducing cholesterol levels, they can cause side effects, including:
muscle pain, weakness, or cramping
nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
liver problems, like increased liver enzymes or inflammation
increased blood sugar levels or diabetes
forgetfulness or confusion
fatigue and sleep issues
interactions with other prescription medications
Below, we outline whether taking CoQ10 can help with statin side effects and whether it’s safe to take CoQ10 with statins.
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A systematic review from 2019 suggests there may be a link between reduced CoQ10 levels due to statins and fatigue.
The authors identified some older studies where CoQ10 supplements were shown to improve statin-related fatigue. However, they also note that the quality of these papers is poor, and more research is needed.
Heart health
CoQ10 may have other benefits relevant to those who take statins, including improved heart health.
A 2023 research review notes that although more research is needed, CoQ10 shows promise for improving overall heart function and reducing the risk of heart-related mortality.
Ultimately, more research will help experts better understand the link between CoQ10 and heart health.
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There’s no concrete evidence showing that CoQ10 can help with statin side effects. And there’s no official recommendation for how much CoQ10 to take while on statins.
Studies on the effects of CoQ10 have looked at amounts ranging from 100–1,200 milligrams (mg) per day.
Because this represents a wide dose range, it’s best to follow supplement label directions if you choose to take CoQ10. Most supplements contain 400 mg of CoQ10 or less per serving.
The best time to take CoQ10 with statins
No studies or official guidelines exist on the best timing for taking CoQ10.
However, because CoQ10 is a fat-soluble substance, taking it with meals or drinks that contain healthy fats may help optimize its absorption.
What medications cannot be taken with CoQ10?
Experts generally consider CoQ10 safe and well-tolerated.
However, it may interact with blood thinners like warfarin.
You should also avoid taking CoQ10 if you:
have kidney disease
have liver disease
are undergoing chemotherapy
have diabetes
are breastfeeding
Infants and children should also not take CoQ10.
What other supplements help with statin side effects?
Vitamin D supplements may help improve muscle-related statin side effects if you have a deficiency.
Evidence regarding other supplements for statin side effects is limited.
How else can you relieve statin side effects?
If you’re taking statins and experiencing side effects, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional. They may be able to adjust your dose or offer alternative medications.
They could also recommend strategies for reducing statin side effects, including lifestyle changes like exercise.
A 2021 research review suggests that exercise can help counteract muscle-related statin side effects.
Physical activity and healthy eating may also help improve pain and fatigue. Plus, exercise is great for heart health and can help lower cholesterol levels naturally.
You might also have luck by exploring pain-relieving treatments like massage therapy, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, or hot and cold therapy.
There’s no strong evidence that CoQ10 has meaningful benefits for people who take statins.
Still, with some exceptions, it’s generally safe to take CoQ10 alongside statins.
Other ways to manage statin side effects include eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and using hot and cold therapy.
If you’re experiencing statin-related side effects that are impacting your day-to-day activities, speak with a healthcare professional about your options. They may be able to recommend an alternative medication to treat your high cholesterol.
Mehrabani S, et al. (2019). Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on fatigue: A systematic review of interventional studies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30935528/
Wei H, et al. (2021). Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on statin-induced myopathy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33999383/
