I started out on 5mg Crestor about a year ago and was increased to 10mg about 2 months ago. My cholesterol levels are now well within normal ranges but I have been experiencing increasingly louder and irregular snoring/snorting in my sleep and was wondering if there is any connection.
- Find
- Manage
- Resources
Q: Can Crestor cause Sleep Apnea?
Answers (1)
10/23/08 8:31pm
Chip,
Thanks for your question. I have not found any articles that indicate that Crestor (or statins in general) causes sleep apnea. I cannot think of a possible mechanism of how statin medication could cause this problem.
Most patients with sleep apnea are unaware of any problem. It is usually the person sharing the bed (or someone else in the home) that notices the loud snoring, irregular breathing which includes periods where the person stops breathing followed by a loud snorting when he/she finally takes a deep breath.
Symptoms associated with sleep apnea include daytime fatigue, never getting a "good night's sleep", and irritability. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause and contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
In your situation, it's hard to implicate the crestor. Sleep apnea is not something that occurs in a short period of time, but rather develops over time. Also, not all people that snore have sleep apnea. It's not possible for you to know how long you've been snoring so loudly, unless someone is witnessing these changes. And finally, the only real way to make the diagnosis of sleep apnea is to undergo a sleep study in a sleep lab where your heart beat, breathing, oxygen levels, muscle activity, brain activity, eye movements are all electronically monitored as well as someone actually watching you sleep.
I'm not saying it's impossible that the crestor is causing your symptoms, but it is unlikely. I suggest you see your physician to further investigate your symptoms as well as discussing your concerns with him/her. Also mention the possibility of obtaining a sleep study which should include a visit with a pulmonologist who is certified in sleep medicine. He will be able to shed more light on your whole situation.
Best wishes.
Martin Cane, M.D.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I have had the same suspicions. Crestor I snore ...i go off it and it stops.........Go back on and with in a day I am snoring again according to my wife. Hard to figure why but that appears to be the facts with me.