How to take statins
Antilipemic Agent; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; Atorvastatin (Lipitor); Simvastatin (Zocor); Lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev); Pitavastatin (Livalo, Zypitamag); Pravastatin (Pravachol); Rosuvastatin (Crestor); Fluvastatin (Lescol); Hyperlipidemia - statins; Hardening of the arteries - statins; Cholesterol - statins; Hypercholesterolemia - statins; Dyslipidemia - statins; StatinStatins are medicines that help lower the amount of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Statins work by:
- Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol
Cholesterol
Your body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Raising HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood
- Lowering triglycerides, another type of fat in your blood
Triglycerides
The triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...
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Statins block how your liver makes cholesterol. Cholesterol can stick to the walls of your arteries and narrow or block them.
How do Statins Help?
Improving your cholesterol levels can help protect you from heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Heart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleStroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour health care provider will work with you to lower your cholesterol by improving your diet. If this is not successful, medicines to lower cholesterol may be the next step.
Statins are often the first medicine treatment for high cholesterol. Both adults and teenagers can take statins when needed.
What Statins are Right for you?
There are different brands of statin medicines, including less expensive, generic forms. For most people, any of the statin medicines will work to lower cholesterol levels. However, some people may need the more powerful types.
A statin may be prescribed along with other medicines. Combination tablets are also available. They include a statin plus medicine to manage another condition, such as high blood pressure.
How are Statins Taken?
Take your medicine as directed. The medicine comes in tablet or capsule form. Do not open capsules, or break or chew tablets, before taking the medicine.
Most people who take statins do so once a day. Some should be taken at night, but others can be taken anytime. They come in different doses, depending on how much you need to lower your cholesterol. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking with your provider first.
Read the label on the bottle carefully. Some brands should be taken with food. Others may be taken with or without food.
Store all of your medicines in a cool, dry place. Keep them where children cannot get to them.
You should follow a healthy diet while taking statins. This includes eating less fat in your diet. Other ways you can help your heart include:
Fat in your diet
Fats are an important part of your diet but some types are healthier than others. Choosing healthy fats from vegetable sources more often than less ...
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Getting regular exercise
Getting regular exercise
It is never too late to start exercising. Exercise has benefits at any age. Staying active will allow you to continue being independent and the lif...
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Managing stress
Managing stress
We all feel stress at one time or another. It's a normal and healthy reaction to change or a challenge. But stress that goes on for more than a few...
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Quitting smoking
Quitting smoking
There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be su...
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What are the Risks?
Before you start taking statins, tell your provider if:
- You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not take statins.
- You have allergies to statins.
- You are taking other medicines.
- You have diabetes.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You have liver disease. You should not take statins if you have certain acute or long-term (chronic) liver diseases.
Acute
Acute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleChronic
Chronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...
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Tell your provider about all of your medicines, supplements, vitamins, and herbs. Certain medicines may interact with statins. Be sure to tell your provider before taking any new medicines.
Overall, there is no need to avoid moderate amounts of grapefruit in the diet. An 8 ounce (240 milliliters) glass of grapefruit juice or one grapefruit can be safely consumed.
Regular blood tests will help you and your provider:
- See how well the medicine is working
- Monitor for side effects, such as liver problems
Possible Side Effects
Mild side effects may include:
- Muscle/joint aches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Constipation
-
Dizziness
Dizziness
Dizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...
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Headache
Headache
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...
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- Gas
Though rare, more serious side effects are possible. Your provider will monitor you for signs of these. Talk with your provider about the possible risks for:
- Liver damage
- Severe muscle problems
- Kidney damage
- High blood sugar or type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common f...
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-
Confusion
Confusion
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
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When to Call the Doctor
Tell your provider right away if you have:
-
Muscle or joint pain or tenderness
Muscle
Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fascias are th...
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- Fever
- Dark urine
- Other new symptoms
References
Aronson JK. HMG coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier B.V.; 2016:763-780.
Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 27.
Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/ APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(24):e285-e350. PMID: 30423393 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30423393/.
Lee JW, Morris JK, Wald NJ. Grapefruit juice and statins. Am J Med. 2016;129(1):26-29. PMID: 26299317 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26299317/.
O'Connor FG, Deuster PA. Rhabdomyolysis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 99.
Robinson JG. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 190.
Review Date: 2/27/2024
Reviewed By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.