Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#creatine-kinase-mm-form #dietary-supplements #humans #hydroxymethylglutaryl-coa-reductase-inhibitors #myalgia

Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Banach et al., 2015 | Mayo Clin Proc | Meta Analysis

Citation

Banach Maciej, Serban Corina, ... Mikhailidis Dimitri P. Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015-Jan;90(1):24-34. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.08.021

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on statin-induced myopathy. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EMBASE databases (November 1, 1987, to May 1, 2014) to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of CoQ10 on muscle pain and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity as 2 measures of statin-induced myalgia. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. RESULTS: We included 6 studies with 302 patients receiving statin therapy: 5 studies with 226 participants evaluated the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on plasma CK activity, and 5 studies (4 used in the CK analysis and 1 other study) with 253 participants were included to assess the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on muscle pain. Compared with the control group, plasma CK activity was increased after CoQ10 supplementation, but this change was not significant (mean difference, 11.69 U/L [to convert to μkat/L, multiply by 0.0167]; 95% CI, -14.25 to 37.63 U/L; P=.38). Likewise, CoQ10 supplementation had no significant effect on muscle pain despite a trend toward a decrease (standardized mean difference, -0.53; 95% CI, -1.33 to 0.28; P=.20). No dose-effect association between changes in plasma CK activity (slope, -0.001; 95% CI, -0.004 to 0.001; P=.33) or in the indices of muscle pain (slope, 0.002; 95% CI, -0.005 to 0.010; P=.67) and administered doses of CoQ10 were observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials do not suggest any significant benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in improving statin-induced myopathy. Larger, well-designed trials are necessary to confirm the findings from this meta-analysis.

Key Findings

We included 6 studies with 302 patients receiving statin therapy: 5 studies with 226 participants evaluated the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on plasma CK activity, and 5 studies (4 used in the CK analysis and 1 other study) with 253 participants were included to assess the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on muscle pain. Compared with the control group, plasma CK activity was increased after CoQ10 supplementation, but this change was not significant (mean difference, 11.69 U/L [to convert to μ

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 302
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Creatine Kinase, MM Form
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Myalgia
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Pain Measurement
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Ubiquinone
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: coq10-statin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09