If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose.
If you simply forget to take a dose of your statin medication, you're not likely to have any serious effects. It could take some time for your cholesterol to build up to pre-statin levels — likely longer than a few days.
If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
Dosing a statin (rosuvastatin) every other day (EOD) may provide significant lipoprotein changes while avoiding common adverse effects in this statin-intolerant population.
Statins that you should take at night
Studies show that when simvastatin is taken at night, there's a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol than when it's taken in the morning. Lovastatin should be taken with dinner. However, the extended-release version of lovastatin, Altoprev, should be taken at bedtime.
Summary: The current limited evidence suggests that short-acting statins should be given in the evening whereas long-acting statins could be given at any time of the day with allowing more patient-based choice (of timing) for better adherence.
The body breaks down fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (generic, Mevacor), pravastatin (generic, Pravachol), and simvastatin (generic, Zocor) fairly quickly. So taking them in the evening ensures that you have enough medicine on board when you need it the most.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose.
To maximize the effects of statins with a short half-life, fluvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin should be dosed at bedtime allowing the greatest drug concentration to be present during peak endogenous cholesterol synthesis.
by Drugs.com
It takes about 77 hours (3 days) for atorvastatin to be out of your system. The elimination half life of atorvastatin is approximately 14 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce plasma drug levels by half.
Many statins work more effectively when they are taken at night. This is because the enzyme which makes the cholesterol is more active at night. Also, the half-life, or the amount of time it takes for half the dose to leave your body, of some statins is short.
Our analysis of current evidence suggests that intermittent statin administration is effective in lowering LDL levels in patients with dyslipidemia. All dosing regimens, including alternate days, 3 to 5 times a week, 2 to 3 times a week, and once a week, were shown to be effective.
Statin use is associated with increased calorie intake and consequent weight gain.
Background: Adenosine receptor activation is essential for mediating the IS-limiting effects of statins. Caffeine is a nonspecific adenosine receptor blocker, and thus drinking CC may block the myocardial protective effects of statins.
According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects.
The study concluded that Crestor lowered LDL cholesterol by 8.2% more than Lipitor, and Crestor lowered total cholesterol significantly more than all the other statins studied. Crestor also increased HDL cholesterol (the good kind of cholesterol) more than Lipitor did.
Do I have to take my statin on an empty stomach? No, the reduction of LDL cholesterol is similar whether you take your statin with or without food.
Statins are typically very successful at lowering cholesterol, but they only work as long as you're taking them. Therefore, most people who begin taking a statin medication will likely take it for the rest of their lives.
High doses -- also called high-intensity statin therapy -- included 40 to 80 milligrams (mg) of atorvastatin (Lipitor) or 20 to 40 mg of rosuvastatin (Crestor) daily. Examples of moderate doses include 10 to 20 mg of Lipitor and 5 to 10 mg of Crestor, the study reported.
Conversely, pathological studies have documented statin-induced changes in plaque composition as early as 3 months after therapy initiation.
Doctors have been prescribing statins for more than 30 years, and these medications are generally safe and effective with a low risk of serious side effects. Short-acting statins are most effective when a person takes them at night, but a person can take long-acting statins at any time of the day.
You'll usually take rosuvastatin once a day. You can take it at any time, but it's best to take it at the same time every day. Rosuvastatin will not usually upset your stomach, so you can take it with or without food. Swallow rosuvastatin tablets whole with a drink of water.
Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or atorvastatin will not be as effective. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Grapefruit may interact with atorvastatin and lead to unwanted side effects.
People who did take statins consumed more calories and fat over time, and gained more weight. The study also showed that statin users had a faster increase in body mass index (BMI) than those who didn't use statins.
But new research suggests that statins may also help lower the risk of certain cancers. Researchers have found that statins may lower the risk of colorectal, liver and prostate cancers. Some studies also suggest that statins are linked to increased survival rates in cases of ovarian, breast or gastric cancer.