Can I go out in the sun while taking statins?

The package inserts for some common types of statins, including but not limited to lovastatin, simvastatin, and fluvastatin, identified photosensitivity as a rare adverse reaction during post-approval use of statins.^1–3 The inserts for other types of statins, including but not limited to atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, do not include a warning for hypersensitivity to sun exposure.^{4, 5}  

Studies and reviews observing adverse reactions of statins report no cases of increased photosensitivity.^6,7 A 2007 meta-analysis of 119 studies with over 86,000 participants did not identify photosensitivity as an adverse event.⁶ The American Heart Association also did not include photosensitivity in its 2018 scientific statement on statin-associated adverse events.⁷  

References

1. FDA. Altoprev. Accessed September 20, 2021.
2. FDA. Zocor. Accessed September 20, 2021.
3. FDA. Lescol. Accessed September 20, 2021.
4. FDA. Lipitor. Accessed September 20, 2021.
5. FDA. Crestor. Accessed September 20, 2021.
6. McClure DL, Valuck RJ, Glanz M, Hokanson JE. Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinically relevant adverse events from HMG CoA reductase inhibitor trials worldwide from 1982 to present. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2007;16(2):132-143. doi:10.1002/pds.1341>
7. Newman CB, Preiss D, Tobert JA, et al. Statin Safety and Associated Adverse Events: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2019;39(2):e38-e81. doi:10.1161/ATV.0000000000000073