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Statins that won't cause/worsen neuropathy
Are there statins that won't cause or worsen neuropathy in my feet? I began taking Atorvastatin in 2018 and in 2020 my feet started tingling from the balls of my feet to the ends of my toes. Over time the tingling has spread to include my whole foot (both feet) and started to spread up the left leg. There is no pain with the tingling. My PCP didn't know the cause. I went to a neurologist, a podiatrist and a vascular specialist and none could determine a cause. In March, 2025, my sister sent me a study done by the NIH in which 17% of patients taking Atorvastatin and 50% of patients taking Rosuvastatin developed neuropathy. I took a 5 month break from the Atorvastatin and there was a slight improvement in the tingling but it didn't go away. I need to go back on a statin. Can anyone recommend one that won't worsen my neuropathy? Does anyone have experience with CoQ10 keeping neuropathy from worsening or even improving neuropathy when taking a statin?
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I was on rosuvastatin (20 mg) for over 2 years when I developed SFN, but I have no idea if that is the cause. I read the one study from NIH about it causing neuropathy if used long-term. I also read that up to 50% of the people taking rosuvastatin had some neuropathy in the study, but it is still being listed as safer than other statins. Unfortunately, long term was considered over one year in that study. I stopped it, but my numbers bounced back up and there is not much room for improving my lifestyle since I have eaten a plant-based diet with lots of fruits, veggies, grains, etc. and always exercise. I chose to try Zetia. Recently, it showed that it has been working and my LDL has dropped to near optimal. I also take the omega 3 (from algae).
@jankavs
Thank you for this information. I read recently that Zetia should be taken with a statin. Are you taking it alone?
@phpilgrim Yes, just Zetia. I lowered the LDL with just Zetia; however, adding a statin does lower it further. I don't want to take a chance with my neuropathy increasing though and taking the two together actually increases the risk of adverse effects.
@jankavs
Thank you!
I took pravastatin from 2013 to 2018 and didn't have side effects. I went back on pravastatin after my 5 month break from atorvastatin and after a little over a month both feet (tops and bottoms) tingled and I had pain in both ankles while walking my dog. I just stopped this statin. I don't think I can take any statin at this point so I will be pursuing alternatives with my PCP or a cardiologist.
In 2021 my B12 was in the normal range but low. My PCP told me to take B-Complex. While I was off atorvastatin, I learned that too much B6 can cause neuropathy. My diet is rich in foods that contain B6 so I stopped taking B-Complex. The neuropathy in my feet improved. A couple weeks later, my hands began to tingle and one finger got numb. I had my B12 tested and it was back to where it was when my PCP told me to take B-Complex. I started B12 when I started the pravastatin. I think it helped because my hands didn't tingle after taking it for a short time but my feet continued to tingle probably due to the pravastatin and maybe permanent nerve damage due to taking atorvastatin for 5 years. I plan to stay on the B12 and try a statin alternative.
@phpilgrim
There are alternatives besides Zetia, like bempodoic acid. I supplemented with b12 when I developed this small fiber neuropathy because I was vegan, so it was not a b12 deficiency. It's definitely a cause for some people. I would like to get my LDL a bit lower, so I am thinking of trying a supplement containing plant sterols (like cholestoff). I hope that you can find an alternative that does well for you.
@jankavs
Thank you! I appreciate the information. I am just beginning to learn about the alternatives.