Statins and myasthenia gravis
Globally, there has been a very small number of reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis with atorvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin (single-ingredient and fixed-dose combination products) (1)
- patients who are taking statins should be advised to be alert to new symptoms for myasthenia gravis, or worsening symptoms of pre-existing myasthenia gravis, and to seek medical advice if these occur (1)
Advice for healthcare professionals (1):
- there have been some suspected reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis or ocular myasthenia associated with statin use; the current frequency of these adverse events is not known but given the extensive use of statins in the population, the reports are understood to be very infrequent
- the majority of UK reports note that the patient recovered after stopping statin treatment, while a minority continued to experience symptoms; recurrence of symptoms has been reported when patients restarted on the same or a different statin
- refer patients presenting with suspected new-onset myasthenia gravis after starting statin therapy to a neurology specialist – it could be necessary to discontinue statin treatment depending on the assessment of the individual benefits and risks
- advise patients with pre-existing myasthenia gravis to be alert to aggravation of symptoms while taking a statin - it could be necessary to discontinue statin treatment depending on the assessment of the individual benefits and risks
- report suspected adverse drug reactions associated with statins on a Yellow Card
Reference:
- Drug Safety Update volume 17, issue 2: September 2023: 1.