In a group of 45 patients beginning treatment with 80 mg oral atorvastatin (a statin drug to reduce cholesterol levels), the average concentration of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the blood decreased within 14 days, and had fallen by approximately 50% after 30 days of treatment. The mean CoQ10 concentration was reduced from 1.26 micrograms per milliliter to 0.62 micrograms per milliliter. Lower CoQ10 levels appear to be a major contributor to muscle pain, exercise intolerance and myoglobinuria (reddish urine associated with the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers). (14)
In a supplement review, coenzyme Q10 was described to be potentially useful in patients for the conversion of food into energy. CoQ10 may also be used to treat and enhance the effect of lipid-lowering medications used by patients with high cholesterol. (15)