Which side effect is commonly associated with statin use?

Muscle pain, known as myalgia, is a well-documented and common side effect associated with statin use. Statins, which are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, can sometimes lead to muscle-related issues due to their mechanism of action. They inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis, but this can also interfere with muscle function and lead to discomfort or pain.

Patients on statins may experience varying intensities of muscle pain, from mild discomfort to severe cases that can lead to muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) in rare instances. Monitoring for muscle symptoms is crucial when a patient starts on statin therapy, and healthcare providers often evaluate muscle-related complaints regularly, especially at the beginning of treatment or with dose adjustments.

Other options listed, such as diarrhea, constipation, and drowsiness, are not typically associated with statins. While gastrointestinal issues can occur with many medications, they are more common in other classes of lipid-lowering agents or are not significantly linked to statins specifically. Drowsiness is also more characteristic of different medication categories and is not a primary concern with statin therapy.