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Moderately Low, High Cholestrol, No Heart Attacks. Was On Lipitor. Future Risk?

Posted on Sat, 18 May 2013

Question: Is there a danger in quitting lipitor cold turkey? I was on pravastatin 40mg for 2.5 years then doc put me on lipitor 40mg because my hdl was too low. After 6 weeks of lipitor, hdl 3 points lower and ldl below 100 trigs 60. Lipitor has made my muscle mass lessen and and I feel generally ill. I want to stop statins altogether. Reason for pravastatin in first place was high cholesterol. LDL high trigs high HDL moderately low. No heart attack, no chest pain. Concerned about risk of stroke and heart attack from possible clotting by stopping statins cold XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (31 minutes later)

Dear sir,

Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX

Myopathy (damage to muscles) caused by statins is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. You must discuss with your doctor to ascertain that if it is really myopathy or just muscle pains associated with statin usage. He may do a few blood tests to know that.

It is not established that stopping statins suddenly will cause an overnight heart attack or stroke or any other XXXXXXX concerns. But yes over a period of time the risk of these problems will increase as you have high cholesterol.

I would recommend you to report your symptoms to your doctor; Let him investigate this and he may chose to stop these medicines for the time being and will give you substitutes which can lower cholesterol. If everything comes clean he may start another statin at a lower dose to see the effects.

I hope its clear now. Feel free to discuss further.

Sincerely
sukhvinder XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Is it wise to gradually stop taking statins to avoid any further side effect or does it matter?
Also, what are the possible issues if cholesterol goes too low due to statin drugs? I feel my levels are too low at this point and am concerned.

Answered by Dr. Sukhvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Dear Sir,

I apologize if my previous mail was not clear. Let me try again.

Statin can be stopped cold turkey; however I would not like you to stop the drug on your own. Rather I would like you to see your cardiologist because
- If at this time you stop the drugs on your own, your physician may miss the damage caused to your muscles by statins for future reference. Moreover it is not wise to stop or start drugs on your own. We do stop statins abruptly whenever we suspect serious side effects due to statins like rhabdomyoysis/myopathy.
- Whatever way you stop them , the risk for future heart attack/ strike will go on increasing , if you have uncontrolled high cholesterol levels.

If your cholesterol levels come too low, we can always adjust the dose for statins. There are no proven side effects of low cholesterol caused by statins. There are anecdotal reports of long term low cholesterol causing Parkinsonism / high risk of cancer, etc.; but not related to acute decrease caused by statins.

Hope it’s clearer to you now.

Sincerely
Sukhvinder XXXXXXX

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad