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Is It Possible To Gradually Stop Taking A Statin Drug?
Question: Is it possible to gradually stop taking a statin drug? My Dr just wants to put me on another one, but I have done research on statins, & I want to stop. I have terrible leg pains & cramps & am tired much of the time. He basically said I could stop if I didn`t mind having a stroke. I`m on atorvastatin for prevention. Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Atorvastatin related adverse effects should be ruled in/out first
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that if your recent complains are related to atorvastatin ( leg pain and cramps, extreme tiredness), than you should stop taking statins at least for a period of time.
You have to check some blood tests like:
- AST and ALT
- CPK, LDH.
If the above liver and skeletal enzymes result higher than normal (transaminases grater than 6 fold increased), than you should certainly stop atorvastatin.
Statins are generally well tolerated treatments, but sometimes they are associated with myolysis (muscular cell injury) and liver cell injury.
It has been observed that after a period of withdrawing statins (because of the above adverse effects), when restarted they are shown to be safe and in general don't exerts such unwanted effects.
I recommend performing the above mentioned blood lab tests and discuss with your prescribing doctor the possible opportunities (whether to stop or not).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Atorvastatin related adverse effects should be ruled in/out first
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that if your recent complains are related to atorvastatin ( leg pain and cramps, extreme tiredness), than you should stop taking statins at least for a period of time.
You have to check some blood tests like:
- AST and ALT
- CPK, LDH.
If the above liver and skeletal enzymes result higher than normal (transaminases grater than 6 fold increased), than you should certainly stop atorvastatin.
Statins are generally well tolerated treatments, but sometimes they are associated with myolysis (muscular cell injury) and liver cell injury.
It has been observed that after a period of withdrawing statins (because of the above adverse effects), when restarted they are shown to be safe and in general don't exerts such unwanted effects.
I recommend performing the above mentioned blood lab tests and discuss with your prescribing doctor the possible opportunities (whether to stop or not).
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Best regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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