The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7492 p269
8 March 2008

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Rare tendon problems identified with statins

Statins may cause tendon complications, although these effects are rare, say French researchers. Tendon impairment following statin use has been reported anecdotally but no large-scale studies have previously been carried out.

The researchers identified 96 reports of statin-related tendon complications recorded in the French pharmacovigilance system from 1990–2005, 63 of which were cases of tendinitis and 33 of which were tendon rupture. Tendinopathy was more common in the first year after statin initiation.

The researchers note that no cases of statin-induced tendon complications were seen in other trials involving over 30,000 patients, but point out that this may be a result of control of factors that predisposed patients to tendinopathy. The researchers say that tendinous manifestations may be an as yet unreported side effect of statin therapy, although the mechanism for this is unclear.

They suggest that prescribers and patients should be aware of this risk (Arthritis Care and Research 2008;59:367).