The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have released new guidance regarding statin intake in patients with myasthenia gravis. There has been a very small number of global reports of new-onset or aggravation of pre-existing myasthenia gravis with the following medications which are available in the UK:

·        Atorvastatin

·        Pravastatin

·        Simvastatin

·        Fluvastatin

·        Rosuvastatin

Other statins included in this guidance but not available in the UK are:

·        Lovastatin

·        Pitavastatin

From the 14^th of June 1995 up to the 19^th of June 2023, there have been 10 adverse drug reaction reports in the UK involving myasthenia gravis. It was reported that 3 out of these 10 cases involved the recurrence or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with known myasthenia gravis.

The MHRA has stated that at this time there is insufficient data to conclude whether different statins, different duration of therapy, and different dosing levels alter the risk of experiencing myasthenia gravis or exacerbating existing symptoms. The guidance that has been released advises those with myasthenia gravis who are taking statins that they be alert to worsening of symptoms and to seek medical advice if these occur.

Myaware will look to update our own Drugs to Avoid guidance imminently to reflect this new guidance issued.

Click here to read the full report from the MHRA.

Treatments