From the Research
Statin-Related Headache
- The available evidence suggests that statins may have a beneficial effect on migraine headaches, with some studies indicating a reduction in frequency and severity of headaches 1, 2, 3, 4.
- A study published in 2022 found that atorvastatin significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks and improved quality of life in patients with migraines 1.
- Another study from 2015 found that statin use was associated with a lower prevalence of severe headache or migraine, particularly in individuals with higher serum vitamin D levels 2.
- The exact mechanism by which statins may reduce headache frequency is unclear, but it is thought to be related to their anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects 3, 4.
Comparison of Statins
- There is limited evidence directly comparing the headache-related side effects of different statins.
- However, a study published in 2021 discussed the differences between hydrophilic and lipophilic statins, including their potential effects on adverse events such as headaches 5.
- Further research is needed to determine which statin is least likely to cause headaches, as the current evidence is largely focused on the potential benefits of statins in reducing migraine frequency and severity.
Potential Candidates
- Based on the available evidence, atorvastatin may be a potential candidate for reducing migraine frequency and severity 1.
- However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to compare the effects of different statins on headache-related side effects.