CoQ₁₀ supplements unlikely to benefit statin users

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Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a vitamin-like substance made naturally by the body that's needed for energy production within muscle cells. It's also sold as a dietary supplement and touted for its ability to prevent muscle-related side effects linked to cholesterol-lowering statins. But a new review finds no evidence for that alleged benefit.

Researchers combed through 431 published reports involving statins and CoQ₁₀. They included just seven studies that met specific criteria, which included studies that compared CoQ₁₀ to a placebo in adults who reported muscle pain while taking statins. (Around 10% of people taking statins report muscle aches or pains, although the true incidence of this problem isn't entirely clear.)

Pooled results from the seven studies, which included a total of 321 people, showed no benefit for people with statin-associated muscle pain who took CoQ₁₀. In addition, those taking CoQ₁₀ were no more likely to continue taking statins compared with those taking a placebo. The review was published online March 7 by the journal Atherosclerosis.

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