Statins

[Fernie63]

After a first unexpected angina attack was given 20 mg Atoravastatin by hospital. After a follow up at cardiac clinic was told to take 80 mg. Has anyone else suffered side effects from large dose. 80mg made me really ill. Have been reduced to 40 mg but not much better. Ok on 20 mg.

[Artery0917]

Hi

Following a heart attack in sept 2017, I was given 80mg dose of atoravastatin. I was on 20mg statins already due to being diabetic. I haven’t experienced any side effects in particular. But I am not sure why the dose is so high even though my cholesterol is within normal range.

All the best.

[Fernie63 in reply to Artery0917]

I have been told my cholesterol is within normal range so I am confused about high dosage. If they want me a take such a high dose may have to try a different station. Thanks.

[Nathan53]

Hello Fernie I started taking 80mg Atorvastatin in April following a heart attack and although I persevered with them for months I eventually sought advice (wish I had done it sooner) and had the dose reduced to 40mg. I am fine on this but I was told it could be dropped further if my problems didn't resolve on the 40 mg. I know research shows that 80 mg is the gold standard for preventing plaque build up in the arteries but doses of 20mg can still be effective. Have you had your cholesterol checked again to see if the 20mg is effective for you. Apparently some people can be reintroduced to a higher dose again and not experience the effects they originally had.

[Fernie63 in reply to Nathan53]

Thanks for that. Back to GP. In November my cholesterol was 3.8 on 20 mg so hopefully they will let me stay on 20 mg. Thanks for your help.

[stevejb1810]

It was explained to me (post my triple CABG) that the reason that you are prescribed high doses of statin despite have low/normal cholesterol levels is because there is some clinical evidence to indicate that it will stop further plaque buildup and may even help reverse what may already be there. So it’s being prescribed as a preventative measure. I have been taking 80mg Atorvastatin for 15 months now with no discernible issues.