myalgia
Pronunciation: my-AL-jee-ah
Muscle pain, a common side effect of statin therapy that may indicate statin-associated muscle symptoms.
Full Definition
Myalgia refers to muscle pain or discomfort, which is one of the most common side effects reported with statin therapy. Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) can range from mild myalgia to severe myopathy or, rarely, rhabdomyolysis. Myalgia typically presents as muscle aches, soreness, or stiffness without elevated creatine kinase levels. Management options include reducing statin dose, switching to a different statin, or implementing alternate-day dosing. Distinguishing statin-related myalgia from other causes of muscle pain is important for optimal cardiovascular risk management.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from myopathy (elevated CK) and myositis (muscle inflammation).
In Context
- "The patient reported new-onset myalgia two weeks after starting atorvastatin." — Adverse event report
- "Myalgia resolved after reducing the statin dose from 80 mg to 40 mg daily." — Medication adjustment