Statins and ET

[Conneryfan]

Hi lovely people. My GP has recommended I start taking statins. I emailed the specialist nurse and she has replied saying the GP will have taken everything into account. I have ET and take hydroxy and blood thinners. I have high risks of heart attack and strokes. I just wanted to check and see if anyone has experience of this. Thank you. ❤️

[Rem31]

I’m also ET and taking aspirin, HU and a low dose statin along with another heart medication. I’ve been taking for 3 years and no problem since starting. Haematology are happy with it.

[Conneryfan in reply to Rem31]

Thank you. That is really helpful.

[hunter5582]

It is a very good idea to check out a new medication with your MPN care team. Many GPs are not familiar with ET as it is such a rare condition. I do believe that you will find others on the forum with a MPN taking statins. They can speak to their experience.

Cardiovascular risk factors are very important to address when you have a MPN. If your cholesterol is elevated it is very important to address the issue. If you have questions about your specific needs, please be sure to address those questions with your care team.

It is prudent to always check on the potential for drug interactions when taking multiple drugs. There is a range of potential interactions from contraindicated to monitor/modify treatment. Informed consent requires that you understand what the potential interactions are and what to watch for. Some of the same services that doctors use to check for interactions are available to patients too. I aways triple check all medications by ensuring my care team knows everything I take, checking with my pharmacist, and checking myself.

You are very wise to be asking questions about how any new drug may impact you with having ET and how the drugs may interact with each other. I usually use epocrates.com and/or drugs.com. There are other good interaction checkers available.

If you are interested, here are two examples using hydroxyurea, clopidogrel, and atorvastatin as an example.

Monitor/Modify Tx

atorvastatin + clopidogrel

monitor CK, myopathy sx: combo may incr. atorvastatin levels, risk of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, other adverse effects (hepatic transport inhibited)

online.epocrates.com/intera...

Moderate

Applies to: atorvastatin, clopidogrel

Talk to your doctor before using atorvastatin and clopidogrel. This combination may reduce the effects of clopidogrel. Call your doctor promptly if you have any signs of blood clots such as chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden loss of vision, or pain, redness or swelling in an extremity. You may need a dose adjustment or special test if you take both medications. It is important that you tell your healthcare provider about all other medications that you are using including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs. However, this does not necessarily mean no other interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

drugs.com/interaction/list/...

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, monitoring for altered efficacy of clopidogrel may be advisable if atorvastatin is coadministered with clopidogrel. Pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4 and are theoretically not expected to interact with clopidogrel.

Note that this type of interaction does not mean that one cannot take these meds together. It does mean that specific monitoring is needed and potential dose modification may be required.

[Conneryfan in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you. As always you are such a wealth of information and support.

[ja66ck]

I have PV and I'm on hydroxy 1000 mg, aspirin 81 mg and atorvastatin 20 mg (for chlosterol). The combination of these medicines have helped to resolve or control my symptoms. Though I have some concerns about being on any medicine, I've been blessed with a normal life because of them. Leading up to my diagnosis, I was on the verge of a heart attack, having a stroke, a failing liver and was no longer able to drive.

[AndyT]

I’ve been on low dose statins (currently 20mg Pravastatin) since I was diagnosed with ET in 2003.

I take aspirin and am on Pegasys and my consultant is happy with me being on the statin too - my cholesterol was never massively high but they prefer to keep it low to eliminate another potential risk factor!

[Conneryfan in reply to AndyT]

Thank you

[gvibes]

Your post reminded me of something I saw recently by Dr Silver and Hasselbalch “New perspectives in treatment…MPNs” in which they suggest adding statins to interferon treatment as something that could improve treatment and which required research. If I was better at this I would give you link but you should be able to google it. Take care

[Conneryfan in reply to gvibes]

Interesting, thank you.

[Meatloaf9]

Hi, I am PV and take pravastatin and have for about 20 years, no problems. My mpn specialist knows this and has no problem with it. My CMP is always normal, so far. Best to you.

[Conneryfan in reply to Meatloaf9]

Thank you.

[AndyKay]

I also have a high risk of heat attacks and strokes. I have been on a statin for several years and now on Hydroxy. So far, everything is going very well. My doctors do no think there are any problems with me taking both of the meds.

[Conneryfan in reply to AndyKay]

Thank you

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Statins hav been under the light for years. Women hav a higher cholesterol than men.

How does one measure cholesterol is another question.

High Cholesterol in you family history start 10mg and see if you have side effects.

The specialist wants me at 4.0. It flucuates but no more than 6.0.

I take 10mg everyday for a week if it is higher than 5.0.

If you eat very heathily before blood test and your CHL is 5.0 or lower it will be what you eat. Modify your food intake. Less salt less fat.

You decide.

Cheri Joy. 73. (NZ)

[EPguy]

I asked my MPN specialist about the anti inflammatory benefit of them and he said there is likely to be one. So in that regard it's potentially good for our MPN as noted in this thread. But he also said, like every drug, there are side effects so we should take it only if we specifically need it.

I recently had a cardio check up and was half hoping they would find something so I could take statins. But cardio is ok so I don't get any.

[Pustina]

I have ET and are not on any treatment for this but on anticoagulant for a heart condition which offers some protection re. ET. I have been on atorvastatin for about 5 years and have no site effects. I do take Co-enzyme Q10 as statin drugs can deplete Co Q10 stores in the body. My ET care team is aware that I take this supplement.

[Conneryfan in reply to Pustina]

Thank you

[smith124]

Statins have been controversial and it is definitely best to speak with your Dr about the pros and cons of them with having ET. For example, if you are a woman or if you have a thyroid disorder it plays a role in if statins are right for you. If you are male, I believe it increases your risk of prostate cancer. Again, definitely speak with your Dr about all the pros and cons of statins along with having ET.