Statins
Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.
This factsheet is for people who would like information about taking statins. Statins are medicines that lower the amount of cholesterol produced by your body, reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Why would I take statins?
- How do statins work?
- How to take statins
- Special care
- Side-effects of statins
- Interactions of statins with other medicines
- Names of common statins
- Questions and answers
- Related topics
- Further information
- Sources
Why would I take statins?
You may be prescribed a statin if your doctor thinks you are at risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. This may be if you have:
- already had a heart attack or stroke
- had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or 'mini-stroke')
- symptoms of heart disease, such as angina
- peripheral arterial disease - a disease affecting your blood vessels
- a high cholesterol level
- diabetes and are over the age of 40, or are younger than 40 but have other risk factors
Your doctor may also look at other factors to assess your risk, such as your age and your race. If he or she thinks there is at least a one in five chance of you having a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years, you may also be advised to start taking a statin.
How do statins work?
Cholesterol is a type of fat made naturally in your body. Some cholesterol is needed by your body to maintain healthy cells and make essential compounds such as hormones. However, if you have too much cholesterol in your blood, especially a type of cholesterol called low density lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol, it can start to form fatty deposits in your arteries. This narrows your arteries and can result in a heart attack, stroke and blood vessel problems.
Statins work by reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol produced by your body. They do this by blocking an enzyme in your liver, slowing down the production of cholesterol. Lowering the LDL cholesterol level in your blood helps to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
How to take statins
You can buy some low-dose statins over-the-counter from a pharmacy, without a prescription from your doctor. However, these aren't suitable for people who are at high risk of heart attack and stroke.
Statins for people at risk of heart attack and stroke are available on prescription from your GP. They are taken as tablets or capsules and usually need to be taken once a day, usually at night. Always take your medicine as your GP has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure.
You should swallow the tablets whole, with a glass of water.
Some statins can be taken at any time of day, while others are better taken in the evening - but try to take them at the same time every day to help you remember. They may be taken with or without food.
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Special care
Statins can sometimes affect your liver. Because of this, your GP will carry out a simple blood test of your liver function before you begin taking a statin, and a few months after you have started treatment. If your liver function is affected, your GP may prescribe a different statin or may try a different type of treatment.
Statins can be dangerous if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you're a woman of child-bearing age, you will need to make sure you take adequate contraception while you are taking statins, and tell your GP if you intend to try for a baby.
Side-effects of statins
Most people who take statins do not have any side-effects. However, some people do report problems. These are usually mild, and most commonly include the following:
- stomach problems - including pain, wind, constipation, feeling sick and vomiting
- sleep disturbances
- headache
- dizziness
- feeling weak and/or loss of energy
- pain in your joints
- back pain
- unusual sensations, such as a prickling or tingling feeling
- allergic reactions - such as rash and itching
Rarely, statins can cause more serious problems affecting your muscles and liver. They can also cause a serious allergic reaction called angioedema in some people. This is very rare.
You should stop taking your statin and contact your GP immediately if:
- you experience swelling of your face and you're finding it difficult to breathe (symptoms of angioedema)
- you develop unexpected muscle pain, especially if you also feel unwell and have a high temperature
Remember to follow the advice in the patient information leaflet.
Interactions of statins with other medicines
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medicines or herbal remedies at the same time as your statin medicine.
Medicines that may interact with statins include medicines that act on your immune system, certain antibiotics, and some other types of medicine for your heart.
Some statins can have a reaction with grapefruit juice. Don't have more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice a day if you're taking a statin.
Names of common statins
Examples of common statins are shown in the table.
The generic name is the chemical name of a medicine. If a manufacturer has rights over a medicinal compound, it is given a brand name. Often there is more than one brand name associated with a generic name.
Generic names are normally written with a lower-case initial letter and brand names normally start with an upper-case letter.
| Generic names | Examples of common brand names |
|---|---|
atorvastatin |
Lipitor |
fluvastatin |
Lescol |
pravastatin |
Lipostat |
rosuvastatin |
Crestor |
simvastatin |
Simvador, Zocor |
Related topics
Further information
- British Heart Foundation
Heart helpline: 0300 330 3311
www.bhf.org.uk
Sources
- Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary. 55th ed. London: British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2008:140-141
- Statins for the prevention of cardiovascular events. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, January 2006. www.nice.org.uk
- All about statins. British Heart Foundation. www.bhf.org.uk, accessed 19 December 2008
- Electronic medicines compendium. www.emc.medicines.org.uk, accessed 19 December 2008
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: May 2009
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