RCT2020 · NEJM · Wood FA, Howard JP et al.
SAMSON: 90% of statin side effects appear on placebo too
Who, how long
60 UK patients who had stopped statins for side effects; 12 months, n-of-1 design
What they found
Each patient took 4 months each of atorvastatin, placebo and nothing in random order, blinded. The symptom score on placebo was almost identical to that on statin (nocebo ratio 90%); 90% of symptoms came from taking a pill, not the drug. Six months later half the participants restarted statins.
⚠ Caveat
Small sample; rare, genuine statin myopathy (with CK elevation) exists — for the individual a blinded trial decides, not the statistics.
Related in the knowledge base
Last reviewed: 6 September 2026
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