High cholesterol and links to medication

[Noni71]

My cholesterol level has gone up from 5 to 7.6 in less than a year. I was so shocked when I saw the results on the app. I had a telephone consultation with a GP on Tuesday and I asked him why it had gone up so much. He couldn’t tell me. I asked specifically if it was any of the medication that I was taking that could have caused this increase. He said no. Not sure that I actually totally believe that as there is no change in my diet and in fact it is healthier now than it was a year ago. Any suggestions anyone or has anyone else had a similar experience. I am on 5 and a half mg Pred Leflunomide, Amlodopine for high blood pressure and the other Pred related drugs Omeprazole and Alendronic acid.

[piglette]

Pred can cause an increase in cholesterol levels. People taking pred need to monitor cholesterol regularly. It is a good idea to think about reducing your intake of fatty and oily foods. verywellhealth.com/which-dr...

[Noni71 in reply to piglette]

Thank. I don't eat much fatty food at all nor sugary foods and stick to low carbon. I can make tweaks here and there but only small changes.

[piglette in reply to Noni71]

As PMRPro says a small change can make a difference. Good luck anyway.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Where did he do his training? Did he DO any training? I don't mind them not knowing, that is understandable when they are expected to know a lot. But they should say "I don't know, let me check",

It is well known that pred can increase cholesterol levels and it is also thought both leflunomide and omeprasole can increase cholesterol. The effects of the LEF and omeprazole may be small - but when they are all added together it may be noticeable. It is likely to be worse at higher doses but patients differ.

[Noni71 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. He did sound young! Will follow this up. Just been reminded that I was on Tocilizumab until July. Could that have contributed to the increase?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Noni71]

It most certainly could, yes! It put mine up further to a level where even I didn't object to taking something! I can't take statins though.

[Noni71 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh my goodness well if you can’t take statins what do you do? I’ve started taking them and so far so good!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Noni71]

Ezetimibe and bempedoic acid is the alternative

[Dinahmite in reply to PMRpro]

I take Ezetimibe but have not heard of bempedpic acid.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dinahmite]

It can be used together with ezetimibe if it isn't effective enough on its own

[Dinahmite in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks.

[Rugger]

TCZ put my cholesterol up, but it has come down naturally since I stopped the TCZ.

[EnyaBlue]

My cholesterol was 5.1 the day before I was put on 15mg pred and 20mg omeprasole in Apr 2023. Four months later it was 8.5. Recently called in for appointment with GP as cholesterol level was high. It had gone down to 7.6. Still high but I had a good discussion with GP about effects of the drugs. Now on 7mg pred. Resisted statins and review in 6mths.

[marionofnorwich]

Yes mine is the same. I have never had a high fat diet and eat lots of fibre, veg etc but mine is up to 7.. Now reluctantly taking a statin. Lipitor. No blood pressure meds though as amlopodine made me swell up and ramipril didn't reduce it

[Noni71 in reply to marionofnorwich]

Oh dear. I really dislike taking all of this medication even though I understand why! Just another tablet to add to the list. It’s definitely not my diet/lifestyle that’s caused this rise. Sounds like that’s the same for you too Marion

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Noni71]

It’s definitely not my diet/lifestyle that’s caused this rise.

As piglette said in first reply - it's more than likely Pred induced.

[Missus835]

Same. I can't tolerate any of the statins. I've been on Pred for 2.5 years or more. Trying Ezetimibe, but it seems to be not much different than the statins. I will keep trying though. My diet is not the cause of my high cholesterol, which has been rising at a steady pace over the last couple of years. As PMRPro suggests, going to ask for the bempedoic(?) acid to go with it. I hope you get the answers.

[Hisue]

Rinvoq (for my RA) has positively elevated my cholesterol levels - This is a side effect noted on the product information insert.

[pmac22]

prednisone and Actemra cause high cholesterol which continued to rise even with Statins. Was put on biweekly injections of Repatha which took it down to normal quickly.

Peggy

[nallufl24]

I continue to be stunned by some doctors. My cholesterol rose on prednisone and once on Actemra it went through the roof. I felt like I was a walking heart attack. I can’t take statins but I had to do something. My regular doctor, not my rheumatologist, prescribed a drug called Rapatha. It brought my cholesterol down pretty quick with no side effects that I noticed. It’s very expensive but I had no choice.

[marionofnorwich]

Yes, and I feel as though I am playing side effect bingo!