After only six months of therapy with a statin (Zocor), nearly a quarter of the patients suffered from side effects

This study was published in the New Zealand Medical Journal 1991 Nov 27;104(924):493-5

Study title and authors:

Simvastatin and side effects.

Scott RS, Lintott CJ, Wilson MJ.

Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1745460

The object of the study was to investigate the side effects of simvastatin (Zocor). The study included 110 patients newly commenced on simvastatin who completed a side effects questionnaire after six months of therapy.

The study found:
(a) 23.6% of patients suffered side effects.
(b) 13.6% of patients suffered muscle aches.
(c) 4.5% of patients suffered gastrointestinal symptoms.

After only six months of therapy with a statin (Zocor), nearly a quarter of the patients suffered from side effects.