I have developed a bit of a swallowing issue. Not serious so far but occasionally pills don't go down first time and swallowing generally feels sluggish.
I read articles which suggest that statins can cause muscular problems including swallowing. So I'm wondering if I should consider coming off the statins which I have been taking for about 16 months due to angina and stenting for a blockage.
please please don’t alter anything prescribed without a consultation with a professional.
there are many different statins if the one you have isn’t suitable.
The best person to start a discussion with is the pharmacist employed at your doctor’s group of surgeries. They’ve access to your medical records and change your prescription or make recommendations to your doctor.
Thanks. Interesting to know that there are alternative statins. I will try to contact my GP.
Stopping statins post stenting can be dangerous. Not only can new plaque buildup, but the stents can close up with restenosis.
First it may not be the statins causing the sluggish swallowing. You may speak to a GI about this. But if it is the statins, you could try a different one or switch to a statin alternative like PCSK9 inhibitors.
Jim
You could also ask your prescriber that whatever single dose you're taking be changed for two half the size. My first Atorvastatin 80mg tablets felt like swallowing rugby balls so I had them replaced with two 40mg tablets.
I did exactly the same. One extra pill but not gagging and bringing it back now.
How large are the statins? The 80mg ones seem to be designed for elephants. I took 2 off 40mg ones instead which was better then, as I don't like taking too many pills, I moved back to 80MG ones around a year after my operation.
It is my understanding that if a tablet has a line down the middle it can be split into two. 80mg atorvastatin has a line so can be split into two using a pill splitter which are readily available from pharmacists and you simply take the dose in two halves, one after the other. That's what I do occasionally given the size of these tablets. If you are uncertain about doing this best to ask a pharmacist.
I found that the 80Mg was ok eventually but was highly problematic the first year or so. They are very large. Your point about a pill splitter is a good one as breaking them manually often leaves jagged edges which causes more problems.
No No No do not alter prescribed medications without consulting your doctor full stop !!!!!!
focus on the benefits of your medication and try to tolerate any unwanted effects.
If your swallowing has changed the best thing to do would be to consult your doctor and get a proper diagnosis of the problem before jumping to conclusions about statins or anything else. Hopefully for you it is just a medication issue and not indicative of something else going on. Hope you get it resolved.
It may have nothing to do with tablets could be you have a slight narrowing of tubes in your throat , my husband has just had a small procedure to correct this. See if this needs to be checked
I was having a few problems taking tablets when I noticed my husband tipped his head back when he took a sip of water to swallow his. That works for me now. Hope this helps.
I am on rosuvastatin. I am always amazed by the variance in pill sizes between manufacturers. The tablet that I am taking at the moment is huge whereas my previous delivery was tablets so small that they were difficult to see (and get out of the foil). Both had the same active ingredient.
FWiW, when I have asked my GP about side effects the usual response is ‘stop them for 3 weeks and see what happens!’
what strength are you on? Was on Atorvastatin 80 mg huge horse pills, used a pill cutter in the end. I was on intubation during my stenting , damaged my throat, causing phlegm, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing (not just pills)
40mg but they aren't huge. My problem is not particularly swallowing pills but also swallowing food. It goes down but slowly and uncomfortably at times.
cut em in half
I've been Googling swallowing and statins on behalf of my brother, who is on statins after a heart attack and a stent procedure. The NHS info says swallowing difficulties can be a rare side effect which can lead to myasthenia gravis, so it's definitely worth checking with your GP. (I came across your post, in my Googling, so thought I'd chip in)
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