Dry throat

[KnitNana]

Hi everyone,

Firstly thank you to everyone who replied to my post earlier this year when I started on statins. I felt very supported. I’ve not had any of the side effects listed on the info sheet with the tablets. However, I have had a very dry throat at night since starting the medication (Atorvastatin 20mg). Has anyone out there had similar symptoms or is it just me being anxious.

[Hidden]

Read this...

nhs.uk/medicines/atorvastat...

Sore throat is a side effect.

Talk to your GP about an alternative if it is troubling you. There are alternative statins available which can be prescribed.

Taking statins is a long term thing, but the side effects are usually noticed in a short time. If I were you I would stop taking the statin for a few days to see if the sore throat goes away. If it does you have a likely cause. Armed with that I could then discuss things with the GP. However others may not recommend that without first speaking with the GP.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

You have written a really helpful post. You suggest that Knitnana speaks to the GP first before stopping statins, which is seen as good advice here.,

The BHF guidelines actually say we shouldn’t ‘Recommend that anyone stops taking medication without talking to a healthcare professional first’.

Note. You can delete a bit of your own message, if, on reflection, you want to.

Press More, then edit.

[Hidden in reply to Kristin1812]

Had it been medication that is necessary to be taken on a daily basis for its efficacy I would not have said what I said. However in comparison missing a low dose statin for a few days (only) to determine any side effects is very low risk in my view. And I said that's what I would do, acknowledging that others may do things differently as you have pointed out, thereby leaving it to the OP to decide.

[KnitNana in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much for your advice. I’ll bear it in mind when I next see my GP.

[Hidden in reply to KnitNana]

Hi KnitNata, you can use this link to find out more about Statins on the British Heart Foundation website. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[the-wuss]

I am on the same statin. yes, I get the same dry throat in the evening and a constantly dripping nose through the day. I was asked if I could live with it as a side effect on a medication review. as all my drugs are doing what they should. I am quite happy to live with a side effect that does not cause any big problems. hopefully this will go after a few months.

[Hidden]

Hi KnitNana, just a reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your medication, without speaking to a health professional first. Many thanks