Statins linked to leg pain but not weakness

High doses of the statin drug atorvastatin (Lipitor) cause muscle pain in a small number of healthy people, but are not associated with muscle weakness, according to a study in Circulation.

Many people take statins to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol. Studies suggest that 10% to 15% of people on statins develop muscle-related symptoms, including pain, cramps, and weakness. But so many people take statins that some of the reported muscle complaints may be just coincidence.