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Question: Could medication be making my husband's arm ache?
For the past year my husband has been taking metformin, Avandia, Lipitor, gemfibrozil, and Prinizide for his diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. Occasionally he experiences soreness and achiness in his left arm. His physician states that this is a side effect from a couple of the medications. I also read an article in US News and World Report that reported on this same issue. In the last four days, his arm is very sore, as if he's been overexerting and straining his muscles. It has become very uncomfortable. Should he be concerned about this? Will the achiness subside? Is there anything he could be doing to alleviate the soreness? Dr. Bruce Biller responds:
Thank you for your question. Soreness or achiness in your husband's left arm may have many causes. I am presuming, based on what you wrote, that the arm soreness is occurring at rest and not with activity such as walking, stair climbing or running. I am also presuming that the soreness may be demonstrable by touching the left arm muscles or moving the arm. If this is true, then the soreness could be due to a side effect of the medication Lipitor. This medication, and others like it in the "statin" family of cholesterol-lowering drugs, can cause muscle inflammation. I would strongly recommend that your husband see his physician now for examination of his arm to determine if this is the explanation (or, if there is another mechanical/orthopedic problem in the arm muscles or joints causing pain). It is possible to do a blood test for muscle enzymes (called CPK) that, if elevated, would confirm the diagnosis. If this is the cause of your husband's arm soreness, his medication may need to be changed to an alternative one. I hope that this information was helpful to you and that your husband is feeling better soon. Thanks again for your question. -- Dr. Bruce Biller is an internist with subspecialty training in endocrinology and a special interest in diabetes. He is director of the Harvard Business School Health Services and physician to the Harvard University Health Services.
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First published June 5, 2003
Last updated December 3, 2008
Copyright © 2003 Consumer Health Interactive
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