Statins and CoQ10
Statin Benefits and Risks
However, according to the Physicians' Desk Reference, an estimated 0.5% to 2.3% of patients who use statins have problems. Reported adverse effects of long-term statin use include liver dysfunction, general muscle myopathies (muscle aching or muscle weakness), skeletal muscle myopathy (rhabdomyolysis), cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. In addition, research has proven that the process by which statins lower cholesterol simultaneously lowers the body’s level of CoQ10.2 Therefore, if you are taking statins or considering taking them, talk to your doctor about CoQ10 supplements.
Fortunately, CoQ10 depletion from statin use can be reversed with CoQ10 oral supplements.3 CoQ10 supplementation does not appear to affect the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of statins, and may even reverse any CoQ10 depletion that results from statin use. According to cardiologist Peter Langsjoen4, combining CoQ10 and statins “not only prevents the depletion of CoQ10 but may enhance the benefits of statin drugs by lessening the oxidation of LDL cholesterol."
It is noteworthy that one major pharmaceutical company considers maintaining proper levels of CoQ10 so important for people taking statins that it has taken out two patents for combining CoQ10 and statins in a single capsule.5
Bottom line: Statins are an effective way to lower cholesterol. However, if you are taking statins or considering taking them, talk to your doctor about CoQ10 supplements.
1 Pfizer, Inc. study reported in The New York Times: “From Cause To Cure”, February 29, 2004.
2 Littarru, G.P., Energy and Defense. Rome. C.S.E.I., 1994:23.
3 Langsjoen, P. and A., “Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular Disease with Emphasis on Heart Failure and Myocardial Ischaemia, Asian Pacific Heart Journal, 1998;7(3).
4 Peter Langsjoen, M.D.,FACC, Clinical Cardiologist, East Texas Medical Center And Trinity Mother Francis Health System, Tyler, TX.
5 Merck & Co.: US Patent 4929437, issued May 29, 1990, and US Patent 4933165, issued June 12, 19900, both titled “Coenzyme Q10 with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors.”