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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Simvastatin Cholesterol Tablets

i have been taking simvastatin for six months now,with no problems,until about a month ago,i have a really bloated stomach,now i am not sure that the tablets are causing this,but was told of another person with the same problem,that changed their statin to a different type,and had no more bother,please dont say its my diet,as i had a heart attack 6 mnths ago,and have the most healthy balanced diet you could ask for,with the correct amount of fibre,fruit,veg and every nutrient i need,i also take regular exercise at the gym 3 to 4 times a week,and my diet hasent changed at all in the last 6 months,although before my attack,i still ate healthy,and took regular exercise,i am just wondering if i should ask my gp to change my tablets,but i just find it hard to believe these problems could start after 6 months of taking them,would i not have had this large bloated stomach before 6 months,thanks in advance for your replies
Wed, 16 Dec 2009
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It is still possible that the side effects you describe are due to the simvastatin, even after 6 months, it is certainly not uncommon to get stomach problems with it. Lowering cholesterol reduces you statistical risks, rather than having an absolute effect on your day to day risks of another coronary event. Thus for example stopping it for 7 days increases any risk so infinitesimally as to to be irrelevant. CHECK WITH YOUR GP FIRST, but faced with a patient with this story, I might have suggested stopping the drug for 1 week to see if the bloating stops, if it does, restart and see if it recurs.
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Simvastatin Cholesterol Tablets

It is still possible that the side effects you describe are due to the simvastatin, even after 6 months, it is certainly not uncommon to get stomach problems with it. Lowering cholesterol reduces you statistical risks, rather than having an absolute effect on your day to day risks of another coronary event. Thus for example stopping it for 7 days increases any risk so infinitesimally as to to be irrelevant. CHECK WITH YOUR GP FIRST, but faced with a patient with this story, I might have suggested stopping the drug for 1 week to see if the bloating stops, if it does, restart and see if it recurs.