Genetic Testing For Statin-Induced Myopathy

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, which are widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia, can cause muscle-related adverse events. Serious myopathy (ie, myositis, rhabdomyolysis) can also occur and may be associated with variants in the SLCO1B1 gene. Commercially available tests for the presence of SLCO1B1 variants are marketed for use in predicting the risk of myopathy for patients taking statins.