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Statin muscle symptoms — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyCardiovascular TherapeuticsStatin muscle symptomsGPhC CRA

A 61-year-old man taking atorvastatin 80 mg nightly after myocardial infarction reports new severe thigh pain and dark urine. He has recently started clarithromycin from an urgent care clinic. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Stop supply advice and arrange urgent medical review

Severe muscle symptoms with dark urine suggest possible rhabdomyolysis, particularly with an interacting macrolide. The best answer addresses the key safety, legal or pharmaceutical care issue in the vignette. The other options would either delay appropriate care, create a new risk, or fail to resolve the issue. This is consistent with the cited UK reference for safe pharmacy practice.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS