Can I Take This With That?

Can I Take CoQ10 With Statins?

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Millions of Americans take statins to manage cholesterol. Here's what to know before adding CoQ10 to the mix — and why warfarin users should pay special attention

Liz Krieger

June 17, 2026

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Photo: Shutterstock

FACT CHECKED

CoQ10 is on the shelves of every drugstore in America and is one of the most popular supplements on the market, and statins are among the most prescribed medications in the country. Naturally, a lot of people are taking both — and wondering if they should.

The answer isn’t simple, and if you’re also taking warfarin, there’s an important wrinkle worth knowing about.

What Is CoQ10?

CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble molecule naturally present in every cell of the body. It participates in essential energy production and antioxidant activities. Your body makes CoQ10 on its own, and small amounts come from foods like organ meats, oily fish, and beef, but total dietary CoQ10 intake is usually only about 5 mg per day.

CoQ10 is primarily concentrated in the mitochondria, the tiny structures inside your cells that generate energy.

Because CoQ10 plays a key role in how muscles produce energy, lower levels of it may leave muscle cells less equipped to function properly, which is where some researchers suspect a connection with statins.

Why Statins Might Deplete CoQ10 Levels

Statins — atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others — work by blocking an enzyme involved in cholesterol production. An estimated 46 million Americans take one, and for good reason: they can substantially reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But the biochemical pathway they interrupt, something called the mevalonate pathway, is also involved in the body’s natural CoQ10 production.

Heather Ferris, M.D., an endocrinologist and clinician at the University of Virginia, explains it simply: blocking that pathway to reduce cholesterol also blocks the body’s ability to synthesize CoQ10. This has led researchers to wonder whether statins might inadvertently deplete this molecule and contribute to muscle problems. “In theory it makes a lot of sense,” says Ferris.

Do CoQ10 Supplements Help With Statin Muscle Pain?

Muscle aches and weakness — collectively called statin-associated muscle symptoms, or SAMS — are among the most common reasons people stop taking their statins. But how much of that discomfort is actually caused by the drug?

A rather small 2021 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that most muscle symptoms reported by statin users were also present when those same patients took a placebo, suggesting that the expectation of side effects may sometimes help produce them.

“Statins make frequent appearances in the press and social media, and people are quick to jump to the conclusion that their muscle aches are related to statins,” says Dr. Ferris. “Without a doubt, sometimes they are — but studies show that most people with myalgias [muscle pain or body aches] associated with statins also have myalgias from placebo.”

Catherine Dao, M.D., medical director of the UCSF San Mateo Primary and Specialty Care Clinic, also isn’t sold on CoQ10 as a fix for muscle pain, but does note that “anecdotally, some patients do feel that it helps — and since the supplement is relatively safe, it’s probably worthwhile to try if taking it will improve compliance with a statin.”

The research on whether CoQ10 actually helps with statin-related muscle aches is mixed but promising. A 2018 meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that CoQ10 improved symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness compared with placebo. However, an earlier review of six trials found no significant benefit and concluded that larger, better-designed studies were needed. More recent reviews have been somewhat more encouraging: a 2024 review of five studies reported symptom improvement in most participants taking CoQ10, while a 2025 analysis of seven studies found improvements in roughly half of patients with SAMS.

Both doctors MedShadow spoke with largely agreed: CoQ10 is generally safe enough for most statin users to try, and if it helps someone stay on a statin they might otherwise stop taking, that may be beneficial. But they cautioned that the evidence remains mixed, and patients should keep their expectations realistic.

Dr. Ferris puts it practically: “For some people, CoQ10 might help by boosting levels in the blood. For others, it might work through a placebo effect — and if it is a positive placebo effect, that’s still great, since CoQ10 is a rather safe supplement to take.”

Her advice — the same advice she gives patients looking at “any vitamin without great evidence behind it” — try one bottle. “If it helps symptoms, great. If it doesn’t, don’t buy another bottle.”

No serious side effects have been consistently linked to CoQ10 supplementation. The most common complaints are gastrointestinal — mild digestive issues such as upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, and nausea. Other rare side effects have included dizziness, headache, heartburn, irritability, and fatigue.

CoQ10 and Warfarin: A Separate Concern

Things get more complicated for people who take a statin along with warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner used to prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation or a history of deep vein thrombosis.

CoQ10 is structurally similar to vitamin K, which plays a central role in blood clotting, and that similarity is the problem. Research suggests that taking CoQ10 alongside warfarin may reduce warfarin’s anticoagulant effect.

Dr. Ferris’ guidance on this combination is measured: “The key with warfarin is consistency. A patient may need a dose adjustment shortly after starting CoQ10,” but as long as they stay on warfarin, Dr. Ferris says that the INR [a blood test used to measure warfarin’s effectiveness] measurement should stabilize.

In other words, just because someone is taking warfarin doesn’t mean CoQ10 is out of the question. It’s just essential to talk to your doctor before you start supplementing — not after.

Talking With Your Doctor About Statins and Supplements

Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every supplement you take. “We may not be versed in all of them,” says Dr. Ferris, “but we can definitely catch some interactions.”

Ask about statin options before adding a supplement. Dr. Dao often tries other approaches first if someone is experiencing statin-related side effects: “I recommend lowering the dose of the statin or trying a different type.” A simple switch may resolve muscle symptoms without requiring the addition of a new supplement.

Buy from a reputable brand. Supplements aren’t regulated like drugs — quality, potency, and purity vary widely. Your best bet is to stick with large, established brands that “have a reputation to protect,” says Dr. Ferris.

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Article HTML

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>CoQ10 is on the shelves of every drugstore in America and is one of the most <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6822644/">popular</a> supplements on the market, and statins are among the most prescribed medications in the country. Naturally, a lot of people are taking both — and wondering if they should. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The answer isn't simple, and if you're also taking warfarin, there's an important wrinkle worth knowing about.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is CoQ10?</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, is a<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531491/"> fat-soluble molecule naturally present in every cell of the body</a>. It participates in<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603562/"> essential energy production and antioxidant activities</a>. Your body makes CoQ10 on its own, and small amounts come from foods like organ meats, oily fish, and beef, but total dietary CoQ10 intake is usually<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6822644/"> only about 5 mg per day</a>. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>CoQ10 is primarily<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6822644/"> concentrated in the mitochondria</a>, the tiny structures inside your cells that generate energy.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Because CoQ10 plays a key role in how muscles produce energy, lower levels of it may leave muscle cells less equipped to function properly, which is where some researchers suspect a connection with statins.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Statins Might Deplete CoQ10 Levels<strong> </strong></h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://medshadow.org/conditions-treatments/statins/rethinking-statins-inside-the-fierce-debate-over-cholesterol-and-heart-health/">Statins</a> — atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others — work by blocking an enzyme involved in cholesterol production. An estimated<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10093150/"> 46 million Americans</a> take one, and for good reason: they can substantially reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But the biochemical pathway they interrupt, something called the mevalonate pathway, is also involved in the body's natural CoQ10 production.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://med.virginia.edu/endocrinology-metabolism/research/endocrine-investigators/heather-ferris-md-phd/">Heather Ferris, M.D.</a>, an endocrinologist and clinician at the University of Virginia, explains it simply: blocking that pathway to reduce cholesterol also blocks the body's ability to synthesize CoQ10.  This has led researchers to wonder whether statins might inadvertently deplete this molecule and contribute to muscle problems. “In theory it makes a lot of sense,” says Ferris. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Do CoQ10 Supplements Help With Statin Muscle Pain?</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Muscle aches and weakness — collectively called statin-associated muscle symptoms, or SAMS — are among the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/atv.0000000000000073">most common reasons</a> people stop taking their statins. But how much of that discomfort is actually caused by the drug? </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34531021/"> rather small 2021 study in the </a><em>Journal of the American College of Cardiology</em> found that most muscle symptoms reported by statin users were also present when those same patients took a placebo, suggesting that the expectation of side effects may sometimes help produce them.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>"Statins make frequent appearances in the press and social media, and people are quick to jump to the conclusion that their muscle aches are related to statins," says Dr. Ferris. "Without a doubt, sometimes they are — but studies show that most people with myalgias [muscle pain or body aches] associated with statins also have myalgias from placebo."</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/catherine-dao">Catherine Dao</a>, M.D., medical director of the UCSF San Mateo Primary and Specialty Care Clinic, also isn’t sold on CoQ10 as a fix for muscle pain, but does note that “anecdotally, some patients do feel that it helps — and since the supplement is relatively safe, it's probably worthwhile to try if taking it will improve compliance with a statin."</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The research on whether CoQ10 actually helps with statin-related muscle aches is mixed but promising. A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30371340/">2018 meta-analysis</a> of 12 randomized controlled trials published in the <em>Journal of the American Heart Association</em> found that CoQ10 improved symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness compared with placebo. However, an <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25440725/">earlier review of six trials</a> found no significant benefit and concluded that larger, better-designed studies were needed. More recent reviews have been somewhat more encouraging: a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11441719/">2024 review of five studies</a> reported symptom improvement in most participants taking CoQ10, while a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41158831/">2025 analysis of seven studies</a> found improvements in roughly half of patients with SAMS.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Both doctors MedShadow spoke with largely agreed: CoQ10 is generally safe enough for most statin users to try, and if it helps someone stay on a statin they might otherwise stop taking, that may be beneficial. But they cautioned that the evidence remains mixed, and patients should keep their expectations realistic.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Dr. Ferris puts it practically: "For some people, CoQ10 might help by boosting levels in the blood. For others, it might work through a placebo effect — and if it is a positive placebo effect, that's still great, since CoQ10 is a rather safe supplement to take." </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Her advice — the same advice she gives patients looking at “any vitamin without great evidence behind it” — try one bottle. "If it helps symptoms, great. If it doesn't, don't buy another bottle."</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>No serious side effects have been consistently linked to CoQ10 supplementation. The most <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531491/">common</a> <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/coenzyme-q10">complaints</a> are gastrointestinal — mild digestive issues such as upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, and nausea. Other rare side effects have included dizziness, headache, heartburn, irritability, and fatigue. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CoQ10 and Warfarin: A Separate Concern</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Things get more complicated for people who take a statin along with warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner used to prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation or a history of deep vein thrombosis.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>CoQ10 is<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603562/"> structurally similar to vitamin K</a>, which plays a central role in blood clotting, and that similarity is the problem. Research suggests that<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15853759/"> taking CoQ10 alongside warfarin may reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effect</a>. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Dr. Ferris' guidance on this combination is measured: "The key with warfarin is <em>consistency</em>. A patient may need a dose adjustment shortly after starting CoQ10,” but as long as they stay on warfarin, Dr. Ferris says that the INR [a blood test used to measure warfarin's effectiveness] measurement should stabilize. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>In other words, just because someone is taking warfarin doesn’t mean CoQ10 is out of the question. It’s just essential to talk to your doctor before you start supplementing — not after.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Talking With Your Doctor About Statins and Supplements </h2>
<!-- /wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every supplement you take.</strong> "We may not be versed in all of them," says Dr. Ferris, "but we can definitely catch some interactions." </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Ask about statin options before adding a supplement.</strong> Dr. Dao often tries other approaches first if someone is experiencing statin-related side effects: "I recommend lowering the dose of the statin or trying a different type." A simple switch may resolve muscle symptoms without requiring the addition of a new supplement. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Buy from a reputable brand.</strong> Supplements aren't regulated like drugs — quality, potency, and purity vary widely. Your best bet is to stick with large, established brands that “have a reputation to protect,” says Dr. Ferris.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Can I Take CoQ10 With Statins?

What Is CoQ10?

Why Statins Might Deplete CoQ10 Levels

Do CoQ10 Supplements Help With Statin Muscle Pain?

CoQ10 and Warfarin: A Separate Concern