{"id":635333,"date":"2026-02-19T09:30:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635333"},"modified":"2026-03-25T15:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:26:08","slug":"do-statins-make-you-tired","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/do-statins-make-you-tired\/","title":{"rendered":"Can statins make you tired?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Statins<\/span><\/a> are a class of medications used to treat<\/span> high cholesterol<\/span><\/a>. There are many prescription statins available, including <\/span>Lipitor<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>atorvastatin<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>Crestor<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>rosuvastatin<\/span><\/a>), Mevacor (<\/span>lovastatin<\/span><\/a>),<\/span> Zocor (<\/span>simvastatin<\/span><\/a>), and Pravachol (<\/span>pravastatin<\/span><\/a>). They all lower cholesterol in the same way, by blocking the production of a liver enzyme that makes cholesterol. One side effect of statins is fatigue, or feeling tired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do statins make you tired?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, statins can make you tired. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> shows that some, but not all, people on statins experience low energy and a \u201clack of pep\u201d: 20%\u201340% of users, particularly women, reported reduced energy levels and increased exertional fatigue compared with <\/span>placebo. <\/span>So you\u2019re not alone if you feel like you need more sleep while taking statins. Fortunately, going to sleep after taking statins is not dangerous. It may even<\/span> improve the medicine\u2019s cholesterol-lowering abilities<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why might statins cause fatigue?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are two reasons you might feel tired on statins: First, the exact mechanism of action that lowers cholesterol production<\/span> also reduces the production of ubiquinone (CoQ10)<\/span><\/a>, an antioxidant involved in energy production. Second, statins can interfere with sleep by causing muscle pains, restlessness, and even vivid dreams, says<\/span> Anthea Nwandu, MD<\/span><\/a>, a double board-certified internist and lifestyle medicine provider in Maryland. \u201cPoor sleep then adds to the feeling of daytime fatigue,\u201d Dr. Nwandu adds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Statins like<\/span> atorvastatin<\/span><\/a> work quickly, reaching peak blood concentrations within an hour or two. This could mean that statin-related fatigue is at its worst within the first few hours of administration. \u201cIt\u2019s not dangerous, but it can feel like your energy tank is running lower than usual,\u201d Dr. Nwandu says. Given this, taking a statin before bedtime rather than in the morning could help reduce the impact of statin fatigue on daily activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, medication side effects also lessen as your body adjusts to a new medication. If tiredness from statins has not gone away after a few weeks of being on the medication, seek personalized medical advice from a healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n