Can statins cause diarrhoea?

[Dottyspots]

Following a heart attack in August 2021, I was prescribed Atorvastatin, Ramipril, Asprin, Clopidogrel, Bisoprolol and Lansoprazole.

For almost 3 weeks now, I have been suffering from early morning diarrhoea, starting from about 6am. After about 3 bouts, it then stops and I have no more episodes for rest of the day. I am not in any pain and don’t have any bloating but its making me very washed out.

As I take Atorvastatin about 11pm, could this be a side-effect of this? Spoke to a nurse practitioner and she thinks any side-effects would have appeared before now, as I have been on my meds for 3 months. Got an appointment for blood tests next week.

Has anyone else had similar side-effects?

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Lansoprazole caused horrendous diarrhoea for me, I was switched to Omeprazole and never had a problem since.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

After this length of time there is potentially another cause. I developed severe diarrhoea and it was actually caused by a bug that needed a course of antibiotics to clear.

[Mike-tyson]

Bisoprolol makes me tired during the day and disturbs my sleep. Had not taken avorosatin for a while as forgot to put in my pill mate box. Took it last night and was on toilet 3 times this morning. Only take 10mg per day and have done for over 5 years and not had this problem before. I am also on Digoxin and Entresto for AF and heart failure

[BlessedAssurance]

Hi, I know this was a while ago for you now but did you find out what was causing your diarrhoea?

I have very similar side effects to you after being on same medication for 3 months (only difference is ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel).

My diarrhoea has become more severe over the last couple days. I’ve got an appointment to see a nurse later this afternoon but I’m wondering if it’s the Lansoprazole causing the problem as quite a few people seem to have diarrhoea as a side effect. 

[Dottyspots]

After 3 months of daily diarrhoea, I eventually saw a consultant at the hospital. I couldn’t get a colonoscopy, as I was still taking 2 blood thinners and this could have led to internal bleeding. He didn’t want to take me off them, as it was less than 6 months after my major HA. I did have a CT scan though and everything looked fine.

The consultant thought it was mainly due to post traumatic stress, as I had been blue-lighted into hospital three times within two months. He said my body was also probably just getting used to all the chemicals, that I was now pumping into it!

I was prescribed Loperamide to take when necessary, which helped. However, the most help was definitely the kind and very caring consultant, who was so empathetic and just understood what I had been through. I am normally very fit and healthy and the sudden HA was such a complete shock and a life-changing episode, which led to much anxiety. Cardio rehab classes also helped my confidence and enabled me to get back to exercising and walking again.

I am feeling so much better now. No more stomach issues and much more energy. (My stemi was in August 2021 and I had 3 emergency stents placed.)

Hope you can get your problem sorted too. There is hope for the future, as things definitely can improve. Take care.

[BlessedAssurance]

Thank you for your reply.

My heart attack was Oct 2022 and I had 1 stent fitted - all a bit of a shock like yours. I also suffer from IBS as well and I have loperamide which does help.

I’m glad you’re feeling well and your stomach issues have resolved.