Can I Take These?

Can You Take Atorvastatin and CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) Together?

Atorvastatin has been shown to lower blood CoQ10 levels in a clinical study.

MonitorEvidence: Moderate

What the interaction means

A 2004 study published in Archives of Neurology found that in 34 hypercholesterolemic subjects taking atorvastatin 80 mg/day, blood concentration of CoQ10 "was 1.26 ± 0.47 μg/mL at baseline, and decreased to 0.62 ± 0.39 μg/mL after 30 days," with the decline apparent by day 14. The study concluded: "even brief exposure to atorvastatin causes a marked decrease in blood CoQ(10) concentration."

Why it may happen

Statins like atorvastatin block the mevalonate pathway to lower cholesterol; that same pathway is also involved in the body's own production of CoQ10, which the study authors proposed as a possible contributor to statin-associated muscle symptoms.

Practical context

This is a single primary clinical study with quantified data, not a systematic review or an FDA-label finding (atorvastatin's own FDA label does not mention CoQ10) -- reflected here as moderate rather than high evidence quality. No spacing interval applies; this is a physiological effect of ongoing atorvastatin use, not an absorption-timing issue.

What the sources say

Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke — Archives of Neurology (2004)

Last reviewed 2026-08-22

Medical information disclaimer: this information is general and educational. It does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, or determine whether a combination is safe for you personally. Follow your prescription label and ask a pharmacist or clinician before starting, stopping, or combining products. Full disclaimer.

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