I’m on Lipitor. 40ng

Been on Lipitor 40mg for just over a year and no problems so far.

I think Atorvastatin is one of the regime of drugs which is always prescribed to those diagnosed with CVD. I was prescribed 80mg dose following an emergency admission after a heart attack leading to 2 stents. After some months I had my dose reduced to 40mg as I felt the higher dose was giving me side effects - stomach cramps and nausea. The lower dose has solved this though I suggest everyone on Atorvastatin has 6 monthly blood checks to monitor liver function as Atorvastatin is one of the statins that is more frequently linked to raised liver enzymes. On 80mg my liver enzymes were at the high end of normal but after reducing to 40mg back to normal. There is some interesting research on Atorvastatin v rosuvastatin that suggests rosuvastatin is more effective at reducing LDL and raising HDL but it is the more expensive drug! Also there is suggestion that Pfizer had a much larger marketing budget than the manufacturer of rosuvastatin. My opinion is that one size does not fit all. Long term use of Atorvastatin is linked to the development of type 2 diabetics whereas rosuvastatin is not and likewise with muscle pain.

i’ve been prescribed simvastatin

Just a further comment to add to my previous comments. I have just read a BMJ article which expresses greater concern over the possible side effects of rosuvastatin compared with Atorvastatin. It is obviously a huge subject with many contradictory claims to benefits and side effects. I find it difficult to get to the bottom of which statin is 'best' so just wanted to point this out.

Thanks for your comments. I do know that both Crestor and Lipitor are now out of patent (other statins may also be out of patent, I only know about these two), so they're both a fraction of the price they used to be. Lipitor dropped out of patent first, and consequently used to be the preferred choice on cost grounds. Perhaps Lipitor has stayed at the top of the approved statin list and so became the default favourite?

I was given atorvastatin right after my heart attack but it made me feel as if I was almost in a coma at night. I would half wake but couldn't get out of bed before I fell asleep again. It was changed to simvastatin. So far I've been having blood tests every 3 months.

Crestor.... I tried a a couple of the others and the side effects were hair loss, changed to Crestor and the hair loss stopped and the hair regrew.

Crestor lowered my level is at 150

Hope this helps

I have been on Atorvastation (20mg). Gave me awful muscle pain and visual disturbance.

Now on 10mg Pravastatin which shouldn't knock me about so much.

I’ve been on 80mg of lipi

I’ve been on 80 mg of Lipitor for 6 months after a heart attack and 3 stents fitted , I’ve been told I’ll be on this dose for life , I’ve not experienced any side effects as such but it’s raised my blood sugars so now I’m having to take a diabetic tablet where I was controlling it through diet alone before , I’m also concerned what effects it will have on my liver in the future

Chappychap ..... l was initially on atorvastatin after a stent fitted in February. Had a review with gp two months ago for muscle ache , stomach cramps and nausea changed to rosuvastatin (10mg) ... seems to have done the trick.

Hope this helps.

Hi I take Crestor and I feel fine on it. Can't take some of the others.