Creatine kinase drug-related effects

In other respects, the adverse effects of cerivastatin are similar to those of other statins (3), and a pooled analysis of studies of cerivastatin 100-400 micrograms/day taken for at least 8 weeks showed no differences in drug-related adverse events between cerivastatin and placebo (4). There was no association between plasma transaminase or creatine kinase activities and cerivastatin dosages. 

In a placebo-controlled study of 1142 hypercholestero-lemic patients treated with pravastatin for 8-16 weeks, the numbers of adverse drug experiences were similar in the treated and untreated individuals (1). Rash was the only adverse clinical event that was different (4.0 versus 1.1%). However, in the same patients withdrawal of therapy during follow-up was thought to be necessary in 3.2% of those given pravastatin alone. Myopathy was observed in one instance only, and increases in creatine kinase activity in those taking pravastatin did not differ significantly from controls. There were marked persistent increases in transaminases in 1.1%, with no cases of symptomatic hepatitis. Pravastatin is believed to have a particularly low potential for nervous system-related adverse effects, as it has not been shown to enter the cerebrospinal fluid, and clinical experience suggests that muscle toxicity occurs less often with pravastatin than with lovastatin (2). 

Observational study In a 2-year, open label, extension study, 596 out of 847 chronic hepatitis B patients who had previously completed 2 years of treatment in the GLOBE/015 feeder studies (telbivudine vs 3TC) were enrolled [105 ]. A group of 504 patients completed the continuous 4-year treatment with telbivudine. The most common drug-related adverse effects include increased serum creatine kinase (10.1%), headache (2.9%), nausea (2%) and... 

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