Medication response

[Skellgate]

I am having side effects of statin and clop , mainly dizziness and feeling generally unwell. Is this normal

[Heyjude31]

How long have you been taking them please? From my experience it is normal. Take care Judi

[Hidden]

Dear Skellgate,

As Heyjude31 has said these are very common side effects of the two drugs.

But that doesn’t mean that you have to put up with it as all drugs can be tweaked to suit, but of course you must ask the right people to be able to do that.

Again you don’t tell us how long you have been on the drugs and most need a bedding in period. My new meds take around two weeks to calm themselves into my system.

Are you supplementing yourself? Vitamins etc as some can have an adverse effect with medication.

I found my pharmacist a great help on that.

I hope that you get your answers

[Hidden]

If you've just been prescribed these drugs you may well find it will take your body a couple of weeks to get used to them.If after that time you've still got issues have a chat with your Doctor.

In my case they added Omeprazole to my medications and that resolved most of the issues before further fine tuning.

We all react differently.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Are you on any other medication? Dizziness is more often associated with anti-anginals like Isosorbide Mononitrate, beta-blockers like Bisoprolol and other BP medication.

[croggler]

I'm on clopidogrel , ramipril & atorvastatin...felt ok for the first month then went downhill fast. Came off statins as my legs were aching to see if they were causing it , lo & behold I feel ok again..Think they might have to change them tho as I need them for cholesterol

[Bradee12 in reply to croggler]

Hi croggler, I also had serious problems from statins. They caused micro-tears in both my Achilles tendons. I had been on the statins (atoruvastatin and then rosuvastatin) for only a few months after a big ha and two stents. My GP took me off all statins. That was about 15 months ago. I've had no problems with cholesterol since, as I watch my diet, but I still have a LOT of trouble walking due to the permanently damaged tendons.

[MountainGoat52]

My first thought was the same as Michael.... are you on other medications? Certainly dizziness is mainly associated with beta blockers and blood pressure medication. Statins can cause aches and pains (don't I know it!). I've not heard of any issues and have not personally experienced any with Clopidogrel other than problems trying to stop bleeding if cut.

As has been said, most drugs take two weeks or more to bed in. However, there are occasions where a drug is prescribed and it becomes immediately clear that it does not suit. I only have to take one PPI pill and I am floored completely.... the same with most diuretics which strip out my potassium. I even have issues with some anti-biotics!

I hope you get your medication sorted out soon.

Gerald

[RegularWalker]

All medication can have side effects. They are listed on the info sheet that comes with each pack. If it bothers you, discuss with your GP. I'm the same age as you.Clopidogrel is prescribed after having stents fitted to avoid clotting. It's likely you will only take it for one year.

I was prescribed Atorvastatin at the max dose of 80mg after a HA when my cholesterol was 6.8. They wanted it below 4 but after a year or so it was 2 point something so I reduced the dose by taking 80mg every other day instead of every day. The next time my cholesterol was checked it was still well under 4 so the nurse changed my scrip to 40mg.

I was also given Ramipril but found it made me cough all the time. My GP changed it to Losartan which has been no problem.

I was also given Bisoprolol even though my pulse at rest has always been under 60, and the info sheet says don't take it if your pulse is under 60. It took me 3 and a half years to get a doc to say stop taking it. I wouldn't take the decision myself because I didn't know if my life depended on it. It was probably Bisoprolol that gave me a dizzy turn.

I was also given aspirin even though a doc once told me "Never take aspirin again". Been taking it daily for 5 years with no ill effect.

So my advice is monitor, discuss, experiment, but don't suffer in silence.

[DaveSpice]

You and me both, but I have another explanation, the madness in the world. I find the constant stream of lies from the MSM deeply depressing. So I want to stop the world and get off. Instead I am binning the smartphone, getting out in the garden, out in the campervan, walk the dog and kiss the wife. Stress/anxiety/annoyance seem to give me all sorts of health problems of late. Maybe it is a contributing factor for you too?

[Qualipop]

Try a different statin; they all react differently