The Management of Hypercholesterolemia in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorder

Purpose of Review We describe and discuss the safety of statins and non-statin drugs in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). We also propose a pragmatic model of care for the management of such cases.Recent Findings Patients with both NMD and hypercholesterolemia may be particularly disadvantaged owing to the toxic effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy and the inability to take medication. Specifically, the management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with NMD is complicated by the increased risk of statin-related myotoxicity and concerns that statins may aggravate or possibly induce the onset of a specific NMD. The most severe form of statin-related myotoxicity is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.Summary Management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with NMDs include treating modifiable factors, consideration of toxicity risk of statin, use of non-statin lipid lowering agents, noting possible drug interactions, and careful monitoring.