insomnia with statin

[middles]

Hi hearties

Ive just started Rosuvastatin 5 mg ( as well as candesartan and lercanidipine and aspirin and omeprazole ) and the only side effect is vivid dreams and insomnia. Im carrying on taking it because on a recent checkup my lovely cardiologist was so insistent, ... I take it in the morning .. but please can anyone say if the bad nights get better with time ?

Thanks so much

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Less than 10% of users get side effects from statins, and for some the side effects go away after a bedding in period. Nevertheless one or more of the other medications you take could also be responsible for your problems. So if you want an informal professional view on the side effects from the medication you take you could talk to a pharmacist. But if your problems do not go away and it is likely medication side effects are responsible, and they are affecting your quality of life, then I suggest you go back to your cardiologist to discuss, perhaps using your GP as an intermediary, and explore the options for you especially since, for example, there are other statins to try which may not carry a side effect but noting that your health professionals should be sympathetic to your situation, and hopefully not dismissive. Medication is here to help us, not make out lives a misery if there are alternatives available.

[middles in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Ive been on the BP meds for a long time with no probs so its def the statin. he did suggest alternate days or even twice a week better than nothing so may try that. Its just no fun being tired all the time TATT they call it. and anyway insomnia can raise bp so that's not good either

but thanks for helpful comment.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to middles]

On the assumption that you need to take medication to better manage your lipid profile, my view is that your health professionals should be helping you to find something that properly does the job, rather than some compromise of effectively taking less than what you should be taking which is the easy way out for them, but increases your heart health risk. Any if you are covered by NHS England they have a 'statin intolerance pathway' which defines what should be done if people are having problems with statins, the end point being alternative medication. The trouble with that however is it takes the will and enthusiasm from their side to do it and see it through.

england.nhs.uk/aac/wp-conte...

[MoretonCross in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Hi, "Less than 10% of users get side effects from statins" is a pretty definitive statement, but is it factual? Can it be backed up by independent research, not merely by statements promulgated by, for example, the manufacturers of the statin drugs. I can't find any such research, but perhaps you can enlighten me here. What I have found though is a book written by a professional and experienced cardiologist, "A Statin Free Life", in which the author rubbishes the claim. Definitely worth a read, and I know other members of this forum have already done so by what they've posted here. Personally, I think the "10%" claim is a non starter... 🤔 😉

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to MoretonCross]

The patient information sheets that come with atorvastatin, fluvastatin and rosuvastatin, list common side effects which 'may affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 patients' or 'these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people', and other listed side effects are rarer, which as far as I am concerned is less than 10% , and that is therefore good enough for me. If you and others choose to believe otherwise for whatever reason that's fine by me.

[Carrotcakemad]

I take rosuvastatins too. So far no side effects for nearly a year. I have never taken prescription sleeping pills but when I had insomnia, the over the counter remedies gave me nightmares. My sleep has now improved through drastic lifestyle changes and accepting my deteriorating health. Good luck.

[Goonerboy6661]

maybe try taking it at night instead of the morning.

[Survivor1952]

So far Rosuvastatin is the only one that gives me no issues, terrible joint and muscle issues with the others I’ve been on. No insomnia problem with any of them though.

[AmandaLouise77]

My cardiologist says take statins at night, they're more effective then so can take a lower dose. Rosuvastatin in water soluble and is usually the statin causing least side effects.

[Gemchi20]

hi middles. I can only tell you I’m the same ! Typically I have one good night followed by 2 nights of around 3 hours sleep. I just can’t drop off to sleep and once I wake up that’s it I’m wide awake. I was told to take mine in the evening. It also makes me itch which drives me mad but like you I’m trying to persevere x

[middles in reply to Gemchi20]

Thanks so much all you lovely people. Really supportive and helpful and encouraging too. The cardio also suggested that because of my highish bp on candesartan 16 mg I should add another 8 mg pm and I've been doing that too . So maybe that's also the insomnia cause. And now the gp said try ezetimibe instead of statins .But adding more than one new thing complicates the issue. As an ex nurse I'm determined to sort it..because I do think statins are good and most meds side effects can take time to settle down.. will post again when I have !

[Qualipop]

I reacted like that on atorvastatin; got it changed. There are several alternatives. Rosuvastatin seems to have fewest side effects

[Larivee]

I used to take statins and the worst side effect was pain in legs/knees. Now I take leqvio which is a injection every 6 months. Controls cholesterol fairly well.