Every effective medication can have potential side effects. Cholesterol medications also have some rare side effects. However, these side effects usually resolve completely when the medication is stopped and do not cause permanent damage.

Possible effects of cholesterol medications on liver functions are generally mild. Even if liver function tests show an increase of up to four times, decisions such as stopping the medication or adjusting the dose should be evaluated by a physician. Muscle pain and fatigue can rarely be observed in patients. Even more rarely, if there is a significant (e.g., tenfold) increase in creatine kinase (CK) levels, which is an indicator of muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), this condition usually improves when the medication is stopped. Side effects other than those mentioned are generally mild and manageable.