Who's at risk of developing statin side effects?

Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at a greater risk. Risk factors include:

• Taking multiple medicines to lower your cholesterol.
• Taking medicines that interact with statins.
• Taking the highest dose of any given statin.
• Being female.
• Having a smaller body frame.
• Being age 80 or older.
• Having kidney or liver disease.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• For some statins, drinking too much grapefruit juice.
• Having hypothyroidism or neuromuscular conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).