From the Research
Concomitant Use of Vitamin D and Statin
The concomitant use of vitamin D and a statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) has been studied to determine if it has adverse effects.
- Studies have shown mixed results regarding the association between vitamin D levels and statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) 1, 2, 3, 4.
- A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial found that vitamin D supplementation did not prevent SAMS or reduce statin discontinuation 1.
- Another study found that simvastatin did not affect vitamin D status, but low vitamin D levels were associated with dyslipidemia 2.
- A retrospective chart review found that low vitamin D was significantly associated with statin-induced myopathy, and vitamin D supplementation improved statin tolerance 4.
- A systematic review found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved statin tolerance in patients with SAMS, but the studies were not randomized controlled trials and the results may be confounded by nocebo and placebo effects 5.
Adverse Effects
The adverse effects of concomitant use of vitamin D and a statin are not well established.
- Some studies have found no association between vitamin D levels and SAMS 1, 3.
- Other studies have found that low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of SAMS 2, 4.
- The mechanisms by which vitamin D may affect statin-induced myopathy are not fully understood, but it is thought that vitamin D may influence muscle function and lipid metabolism 2, 4.
Study Limitations
The studies on the concomitant use of vitamin D and a statin have several limitations.
- Many of the studies were observational or retrospective, and therefore may be subject to bias and confounding variables 2, 3, 4.
- The studies had small sample sizes and limited follow-up periods 2, 3, 4.
- The systematic review found that the studies were not randomized controlled trials, and therefore the results may be confounded by nocebo and placebo effects 5.