Some drugs that may interact with statins and increase your risk of side effects include: Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), a medication for irregular heart rhythms. Gemfibrozil (Lopid), another variety of cholesterol drug. HIV treatments called protease inhibitors such as saquinavir (Invirase) and ritonavir (Norvir)
Which drug may interact with statins?
Certain drugs can interact with atorvastatin (Lipitor) and increase its side effects. These include fibrates, niacin supplements, cyclosporine, clarithromycin, itraconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, oral contraceptives containing norethindrone or ethinyl estradiol, digoxin, rifampin, and colchicine.
Do statins interact with anything?
Statins can sometimes interact with other medicines, increasing the risk of serious side effects, such as muscle damage. Some types of statin can also interact with grapefruit juice.
Can you take blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine at the same time?
Combining medication that lowers blood pressure with medication that lowers cholesterol reduced first-time strokes by 44 percent. For those with very high blood pressure — readings 143.5 mm Hg or higher — taking two types of blood pressure-lowering drugs together every day reduced stroke by 42 percent.
What are 3 contraindications of statins?
Statins are contraindicated for use by patients with active hepatic disease or unexplained persistent elevations in aminotransferase levels. Statins are contraindicated during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because of the effects on the cholesterol pathway.
Can you take vitamin D with statins?
Vitamin D supplement may have moderate or no effect on the dosage requirement or side effects of pravastatin, rosuvastatin and pitavastatin. Since vitamin D has mild HMG-CoA reductase activity, it will work synergistically with all statins.
What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?
7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
- Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis.
- Plant stanols and sterols.
- Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins.
- Niacin.
- Policosanol.
- Red yeast rice extract (RYRE)
- Natural products.
Why do statins have to be taken at night?
So, why do people take statins at night? Many statins work more effectively when they are taken at night. This is because the enzyme which makes the cholesterol is more active at night. Also, the half-life, or the amount of time it takes for half the dose to leave your body, of some statins is short.
What is the most common side effect of statins?
Myalgia is the most common side effect of statin use, with documented rates from 1-10%. Rhabdomyolysis is the most serious adverse effect from statin use, though it occurs quite rarely (less than 0.1%). The most common risk factors for statin-related myopathy include hypothyroidism, polypharmacy and alcohol abuse.
Can I take vitamin D with atorvastatin?
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between atorvastatin and Vitamin D3.
When is the best time to take blood pressure and cholesterol medicine?
Last year, a large study found that taking blood pressure drugs before bed may lower the risk of serious heart-related complications more than taking the drugs in the morning (see “Benefits of bedtime blood pressure dosing”).
Can you take statins at the same time as blood pressure tablets?
Researchers say prescribing statins along with blood pressure medications improves the survival odds for people with hypertension. The number of deaths from stroke and heart disease could significantly decrease if people are given statins in combination with medications that lower blood pressure.
Do statins affect heart rate or blood pressure?
Indeed, a recent review has shown that statins lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) up to 8.0 mmHg in patients with dyslipidemia and normal BP; 6.0 mmHg in patients without dyslipidemia and with hypertension; and 13.7 mmHg in patients with dyslipidemia and hypertension [2].
Do statins increase the risk of dementia?
No, statins do not increase dementia risk. They may even protect against it. Statins are among the most frequently prescribed medications. Some people taking statins report side effects, including memory loss.
What is the most serious side effect of atorvastatin?
Serious side effects
you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage.
Which statin is the safest?
According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects.
How do I stop statin fatigue?
Skimping on sleep has been found to increase calcium deposit build-up in your arteries. Getting the right amount of sleep, about 7 1/2 hours, seems to prevent this. Plus getting the right amount of sleep will always give you more energy.
What helps with joint pain from statins?
Although there are no proven remedies for statin-related muscle pain, the following may help.
- Exercise.
- Ramp up your lifestyle changes.
- Have a thyroid blood test.
- Take supplements.
- Change your prescription.
- Image: © Christophe Bourloton/Thinkstock.
Can you take B12 with statins?
No interactions were found between atorvastatin and Vitamin B12. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Can you get off statins Once you start?
If you’re taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol, you will need to keep taking your prescription, or your cholesterol will likely go back up. Stopping your statin can put you at risk of having heart disease and other preventable health problems like stroke and heart attack from high cholesterol.
What is considered dangerously high cholesterol?
A person is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their total cholesterol level is higher than 240 mg/dL, LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL (190 mg/dL is even higher risk), and if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.