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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Pharmacy and Medications
Is Elevated CPK Related to Lescol and Zeita?
02/09/2010
Question:
I have experienced strange wave like feelings in my legs for 10 months only in bed at nighttime. Recently I have had cramping so bad in one calf that I could not walk. Dr. says I have a Baker`s cyst. My kidney function is normal. My cpk level is 624. Is this related to statins? I am taking 80mg of Lescol XL and 10mg of Zetia. I have stopped those meds and will have another cpk test in two weeks.
Answer:
Several studies of Lescol® and Zetia®, alone or together, have shown they have the potential to increase creatine phosphokinase (CPK).
Lescol® is in a group of medications commonly called ‘statins’, which also includes Lipitor®, Zocor®, and Crestor®. The major side effects of statins are muscle pain and cramping, which can cause increases in CPK. Side effects are more common with higher doses, but can occur at anytime while taking these medications. Risk of side effects are lower with Lescol® than with other high dose statins and occur in less than 1% of patients.
Very few patients taking Zetia® alone have reported CPK elevations. Patients who experienced elevations had previously been on another cholesterol medication, most commonly statins, which were stopped due to muscle pain or cramping. The elevations seen in many patients taking Zetia® are not associated with muscle pain. With statins either muscle pain or cramps accompany an elevated CPK. Although both medications can cause an increase in CPK, taking them together does not increase your risk.
Submitted by Lindsay Skomrock, PharmD Candidate The OhioStateUniversityCollege of Pharmacy
