Introduction

If you are taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, you must keep taking the prescription. If not, your cholesterol will increase once more. Up to 60% of cholesterol can be reduced with statins. However, after a few months, their effects might be gone. Statins should not be taken because they pose a risk. Serious side effects like rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle fibres) and abnormal liver test results are uncommon, but they do occur. Statins can cause pain, though many patients are aware of this. It is only natural to blame the medication because everyone deals with occasional joint or muscle pain. Here is a guide on reasons to stop or switch statins.

How Do Statins Work?

Statins are a class of prescription drugs that lower cholesterol. Statins have two primary purposes. They prevent the body from making cholesterol. They also aid in the removal of cholesterol that has built up as plaque in the walls of your arteries. This reduces the risk of heart attacks and blood vessel blockages. Statins can be quite efficient at lowering cholesterol, but their effectiveness depends on the individual taking them. Most patients who begin taking statin drugs do so for the rest of their lives. If you wish to discontinue taking statins, talk to your doctor first. Quitting taking statins can be risky. These medications are particularly good in preventing issues like heart attacks and strokes.

Statins

Tablets called statins can be used once daily. It doesn't matter when you take some statins; they can be taken at any time of day. It could be preferable for you to take many different statins at once, perhaps in the evening. When should you take your statin? Discuss this with your doctor. Statins have a lifetime need. Your cholesterol levels will increase within weeks if you stop taking them. If you forget to take your prescription statins, you don't need to take another dose. The next day, you can take your subsequent dose as usual. Consult a pharmacist or doctor immediately if you take more statin tablets than you usually do daily.

Not everyone needs to quit taking statins. Many people have used statins for many years without experiencing any negative effects. These people can gain from the medicine as a high cholesterol preventative and treatment. Not everyone may take statins. People discontinue taking statins for a variety of reasons. These are the main justifications for quitting statins.

Muscle Issues

Some people may experience weakness, discomfort, and muscle tightness after taking statins. Statins can occasionally harm muscles. Anyone who takes statins and feels weak or has muscle complaints that cannot be explained by work or exercise should see a doctor. A doctor can check creatine kinase levels in the blood. The body releases CK when muscles are irritated or injured. If a patient has a high level of CK, a doctor might advise ceasing statin therapy.

Possibly Pregnant

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should not take statins. Even though statins have not been proven to influence conception, some studies have raised questions concerning congenital impairment. Cholesterol is a crucial component of the growth of the heart, brain, and limb. If you get pregnant or intend to have a child, tell your doctor immediately if you are taking statins. Women who are nursing their babies shouldn't take statins.

Decreased Need

You can lower your cholesterol through diet, exercise, and weight loss. This might lessen your requirement for statins. This is doable, which is fantastic! Lowering your cholesterol can lower your chance of a heart attack, stroke, or blockage. You can also take one fewer drug, thanks to it. Just because your cholesterol readings have decreased due to lifestyle modifications doesn't mean you should stop taking statins. Only a blood test can tell you if your cholesterol levels have stabilised. If it's okay for you to stop taking statins, a doctor can do a test on you and inform you of this.

Conclusion

By lowering LDL cholesterol, statins minimise the risk of heart attack and stroke. There are various reasons to quit taking statins. Some people may be worried about the side effects. Some folks could decide they no longer require this medication. If you want to discontinue statins, you should talk to your doctor first. Stopping the use of statins can occasionally be harmful. Your doctor might advise you to take fewer statins, combine them with other cholesterol-lowering drugs, or switch to an entirely different medication.