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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Atorvastatin Have Adverse Side Effects?

My LDL Cholesterol level is 3.0 mmo/l, HDL is 2.6mmo/l & triglycerides is 0.5 mmo/l, I have been prescribed Atorvastatin 20 mg but am bit hesitant to start the drug as it is known to have lots of side effects. Pls advise whether I should take it. I am 71 yrs. of age. Many thanks.
Mon, 20 Apr 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Dear Sir,
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.
I appreciate your concern for the safety of Atorvastatin.

As per the lab results shown in your query LDL Cholesterol level is high.
LDL cholesterol is referred to as "Bad" cholesterol.
It can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase your chances of getting heart disease.
With low LDL cholesterol level, your risk of heart disease will also be low.

Atorvastatin is a medicine that blocks the production of cholesterol in the liver thus helps lower cholesterol levels and hence the risk of heart disease.

The common side effects that can occur with the use of Atorvastatin include muscle pain, fatigue, inflammation of the liver that occur in small group of people.
However if such side effects develop during the course of the treatment then Atorvastatin has to stopped and other alternate medicine should be used.
HDL cholesterol which is referred to as "Good" cholesterol has opposite effect, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Its level is increased by daily exercise.

In addition to the medicines, following dietary modifications are essential in reducing the level of cholesterol like exercise, intake of lots of fruits and vegetables and avoidance of red meat and fatty meals.

Hope this answers your query.
A feedback is appreciated.


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Does Atorvastatin Have Adverse Side Effects?

Dear Sir, Thanks for posting your query on HCM. I appreciate your concern for the safety of Atorvastatin. As per the lab results shown in your query LDL Cholesterol level is high. LDL cholesterol is referred to as Bad cholesterol. It can build up on the walls of your arteries and increase your chances of getting heart disease. With low LDL cholesterol level, your risk of heart disease will also be low. Atorvastatin is a medicine that blocks the production of cholesterol in the liver thus helps lower cholesterol levels and hence the risk of heart disease. The common side effects that can occur with the use of Atorvastatin include muscle pain, fatigue, inflammation of the liver that occur in small group of people. However if such side effects develop during the course of the treatment then Atorvastatin has to stopped and other alternate medicine should be used. HDL cholesterol which is referred to as Good cholesterol has opposite effect, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Its level is increased by daily exercise. In addition to the medicines, following dietary modifications are essential in reducing the level of cholesterol like exercise, intake of lots of fruits and vegetables and avoidance of red meat and fatty meals. Hope this answers your query. A feedback is appreciated.