can you od on statins?

[Footballfc]

I had been on 10 gms of astrovastatin for 2 years without any side effects. I often wondered how such a tiny pill could help with high cholesterol. Recently I had a checkup and was told by the doctor that they (I thought meaning the NHS) were no longer prescribing 10 gms but 20 gms. I collected the 20 gm boxes from the pharmacy and after a week of taking them became nauseous, fatigued with muscle ache. I immediately asked to see another doctor who said it was the pharmacy who no longer gave out 10 gms but 20 gms and it was my job to cut the pills in half. None of this was relayed to me by the first doctor. Is it possible that I have od on statins and will it take a while to get back to normal?

[Haz58]

All I can say is my GP tried me on 3 statins but with each one I got fatigued and my body ached all over, I felt dreadful. After a test I was told they were wasting my muscles away, which included my heart as it's a muscle. I am now on Bempedoic acid after being referred to a lipid specialist. After 3 months now I don't seem to have any side affects.My husband was put on simvastatin after a heart attack and his arms and legs started to hurt, they changed his statins twice more and now he's ok taking them. He's on pravastatin.

[Footballfc in reply to Haz58]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.

[Praveen55]

Must be 10 mg and 20 mg and not gms. Talk to your GP about the reaction and suitable doses. He might consider an alternative. BTW what is your cholesterol level when taking 10 mg?

[Footballfc in reply to Praveen55]

Of course it’s mg, my mistake. The doctor said my cholesterol was 4.5. Thank you for replying.

[Praveen55 in reply to Footballfc]

Your total cholesterol number 4.5 is very good! Congratulations. In my opinion, taking 20 mg for a short period of time should not cause any long term problem. I am on much higher dose. I remember I had to start with 20 mg and gradually increase the dose to reach final dose of 80 mg over a period of several months.

[Footballfc in reply to Praveen55]

Thank you. I’m feeling less concerned now.