My HA and 1 stent was in May 21 and I’ve been on the usual mix of meds, including Atorvastatin 80gms. I have recently started to notice that when I take it at night I start with a running nose and a cough, plus a burning sensation in calves during the night. Is it possible after all this time that you can become sensitive to the statin?
Has anyone else experienced this or is unrelated to the statin?
thanks for any input. 👍
Hi Grenfell37, yes I had to move away from Atorvastatin quite soon after starting my prescription. I was getting pain in liver and felt like constant side strain. Ask your doctor if you need to change. I am on Rosuvastatin and not had any problem to date. There is also Pitavastatin and there is possibly other non-Statin alternatives. Best regards.
There are no pain receptors in your liver?
It was a while ago. Doctor simply changed medication. Thanks
I am on Simvastatin was 100mg now on 40mg I have had a runny nose, cough and my calves go stiff during the evening, I was wondering if it was one of my medications.
My view on your situation is that it is unlikely, but not impossible, that you have recently started to get side effects from taking a statin after taking it for a few years without a problem. What seems to be the case is that side effects show up shortly after you start the medication, but even then some people improve after a bedding in period. I would be looking to find something in your life that has changed which may have a acted as a trigger. Nonetheless if you are having problems then I suggest you discuss with your GP or perhaps a pharmacist.
thank you for your replies, I have a medication review in April so will discuss it with the pharmacist. I was just curious to see if others had experienced anything similar.
Atorvastatin is the one statin you can take in the morning. I had tingling in the arms and legs that was keeping me awake at night. Changed to taking it in the morning (after getting the OK from the pharmacist at my GP) and now have no problems.
I had nasal drip and soreness of calves after 3 months on atorvastatin. As with all drugs their effectiveness or side effects can decline or increase respectively as you age.
I think I will try it in the morning, with GP approval.
Unlike some statins e.g. simvastatin, it is my understanding that atorvastatin can be taken at any time of the day since it is, apparently, 'long acting', provided you take it at the same time each day. Any pharmacist should be able to confirm this for you.
hi - I certainly had side effects for about 4-6 weeks when I first started taking them - aches / pains / cramps and restless legs . It really disrupted my sleep . I don’t get any symptoms now 9 years later . I take it at night and that seems to work for me . Sorry I don’t have anything more helpful to say 
good luck
I had my heart attack April 2021. I was on Atorvastatin 80mg at first dropped to 40mg,then 20mg. Still felt ill from them they actually gave me chest pain. Anyway I was changed to Rosuvastatin and only take 10mg now. I would ask to have a review of the statins, but I feel so much better on Rosuvastatin.
Hi, I ve just switched from atorvastatin (40mg) after having stiff early morning leg muscles and even though I am 72 and propensity to easily strain any muscle group following activity. It's only been 2 wks but the difference is extremely noticeable for the better. New regime is starting off on 5mg rosuvastatin. Worth a chat with your GP. No more lipitor for me !!Good luck!
I am pretty sure the symptoms you are describing are often due to drugs like ramipril, not the Statin. It is a bit unlikely they would appear after 4 years though, as has been said it is more likely some other change in your life? What has your GP said?
Hi Grenfell37. I had a very similar experience on Atorvastatin plus I couldn’t breath when I lay down. As soon as I stopped taking it those symptoms went away. I’m now prescribed Rosuvastatin and have no issues.
Thanks for all the input. I’ll speak to my GP in April.
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