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Which medications can cause adverse effects on the muscles?

Published 2 Aug 2021 • By Maëva Gourdon

In general, muscle pain is not a medical emergency as such, but when the pain is too intense, it can become a real burden in a patient's life. It is important to get to the root cause of these pains.

Although they are rarely suspected, certain medications can have unintended effects on the muscles. They can cause cramps, muscle fatigue, or even tendonitis. The most important thing is to identify these drugs in order to correct them, or even to anticipate these pains. But be aware that not all therapeutic classes are involved. 

Which drugs should you be wary of in terms of muscle pain?

We explain it all in our article!

Which medications can cause adverse effects on the muscles?

Muscle pain can be classified into 3 categories according to its intensity

  • Mild: Sensation of stiffness with movement, moderate pain that subsides within a few days.
  • Moderate: Moderate pain, the muscle is more affected. Symptoms persist for 1 to 3 weeks.
  • Severe: The muscle is severely affected, with possible internal bleeding and significant inflammation that manifests itself as swelling and/or redness. This is a medical emergency.

Medicines that may require special attention

The classes most commonly implicated:

  • Quinolone antibiotics (such as Norfloxacin and other small names ending in -xacin): The risk of tendinitis or tendon rupture is well known with fluoroquinolones and especially in the elderly. It is therefore sometimes necessary to prescribe another class of antibiotics, particularly in athletes. When antibiotic therapy is stopped, the effects fade relatively quickly.
  • Certain drugs designed to control high cholesterol (such as statins: Atorvastatin®, Simvastatin®, etc.): This is the class most implicated, approximately 10% to 25% of patients will develop muscular effects, in connection with compliance with the medication. It is therefore very important to take your treatment correctly. The most common side effect is muscle cramps, but muscle weakness, pain or unexplained tenderness can also occur. It can be localized anywhere, but often occur in the arms or thighs. 
  • Diuretics used to treat high blood pressure (such as such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide): These medicines can cause cramps because they promote the elimination of calcium in the urine which is necessary for the proper functioning of the muscles. This remains a rare side effect. Some diuretics are also responsible for a decrease in potassium in the blood.
  • Antiarrhythmic drugs, used for heart conditions (such as amiodarone) can cause tremors or muscle weakness.
  • Glucocorticoids, which are used as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic or immunosuppressive drugs, can cause muscle wasting or tendon rupture. The effect depends on the dose used and the duration of administration.
  • Benzodiazepines (class of psychoactive drugs used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures, etc.): These drugs may be responsible for a decrease in muscle tone and thus cause muscle weakness.

Classes less commonly implicated:

  • Drugs that prevent and treat malaria, particularly chloroquine.
  • Certain cancer treatments (cyclophosphamide) may cause muscle atrophy.
  • Certain treatments for HIV/AIDS (zidovudine) may cause fatigue, muscle weakness or atrophy. However, this is a rare side effect. 

How can you relieve these muscle pains?

Firstly, it is important to confirm the cause of your pain with your physician.

A number of non-prescription treatment options are available to help you. This can be a local anti-inflammatory cream applied directly to the affected area, or oral anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or aspirin. But above all, it is essential to stay well hydrated throughout the day to oxygenate the muscle fibres.

If the pain becomes too intense or occurs at the start of treatment, it is important to consult your doctor. 


Was this article helpful to you? 
Let us know by giving it a "like" and sharing your thoughts with the community in the comments below! 
Take care!


22
avatar Maëva Gourdon

Author: Maëva Gourdon, Health Writer, Pharmacy Student

Maëva is a fifth year PharmD student at the University of Poitiers in France and is an intern on Carenity's data science team. She is next looking to pursue a master's degree in strategy and management.

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10 comments


Silverlady
on 08/08/2021

@nineteen_gale 
yes I’m on Simvastatin 40mg strength which I’ve been on all the time , I’ve only ever had blood tests which the last one it was 4.5 , it’s not very often I get night cramps but it’s just I feel so weak , thank you for your advice next appointment I will mention it .


lesmal • Ambassador
on 31/08/2021

@Silverlady‍ ... I was on Statins years' ago and unfortunately had severe problems with muscle pain, especially in the upper legs and thighs. I was on Atorvastatin, Simvastatin and Pravastatin and in the end refused to take them and requested my doctor take me off them. I haven't been on anything since.  

I constantly have muscle cramping and my doctor since has taken full blood counts and found I'm low iron (anemia) and low folic acid. He's put me on folic acid for 3 months now after a course of iron recently for a month, but this could also be due to epilepsy medication and other issues. 


Silverlady
on 31/08/2021

@lesmal‍ 

unfortunately it’s a catch 22 situation do you take a chance having heart attack or suffer side effects , sometimes let the body take care of itself , my cholesterol was 8.2 on the first check years ago so I was a stroke candidate .


lesmal • Ambassador
on 31/08/2021

@Silverlady‍ ... My cholesterol has always been high, but unfortunately, I'm on so many other medications one doesn't know which one could be the main cause. It's all trial and error.

Keep safe and healthy.  


Silverlady
on 31/08/2021

@lesmal 

Thank it’s a nightmare isn’t it , I hope you are as well as can be , thankfully I’m only on statins and thyroxine not too bad for 77 soon to be 78 lol , as long as we can keep going , lots of luck and good wishes stay safe and well🤞🤞

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