Scientists Finally Crack Decades-Old Mystery Behind Statins’ Painful Side Effects

New research shows certain statins bind to the RyR1 calcium channel in muscle cells and make it leaky.

Leaky RyR1 lets excess calcium into muscle fibers, which can damage cells and cause pain, weakness, and fatigue.

In mice, experimental Rycal drugs stabilized RyR1 and reduced statin-induced muscle weakness, suggesting prevention strategies.

The mechanism may explain many cases of statin-associated muscle symptoms and could guide redesigned statins or muscle-protecting treatments.