Association of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation With Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms in Long-Term Statin Users

Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering blood cholesterol levels and are considered safe and effective. However, statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) remain a frequent adverse effect encountered in clinical settings.

To compare the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with no supplementation in the management of statin-associated muscle symptoms among patients on statin therapy.

This observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, over a period of six months following ethical approval. A total of 106 patients with clinically identified SAMS were included. Group A (n=53) comprised patients who received CoQ10 (50 mg twice daily), while Group B (n=53) included patients who received no supplementation and were managed conservatively.  Results: Patients in Group A who received CoQ10 showed a greater reduction in both VAS and pain interference scores compared to Group B. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p = 0.001), suggesting better symptom control in the CoQ10 group.

CoQ10 supplementation (50 mg twice daily) was associated with improved control of statin-associated muscle symptoms in an observational clinical setting. These findings support its potential role as an adjunctive option for patients experiencing muscle-related side effects from statin therapy.