Question 1

husband cholesterol is 9 what statin should he take?am amazed cause he doesn't eat a lot of fatty foods

Accepted Answer

Doesn't make sense: Sorry.  The question as posed makes no sense as most people have total cholesterol >150.

Question 2

how do you treat cholesterol problems if you can't take statins?

Accepted Answer

The old fashion way: Statins are relatively new in the history of hyperlipidemia. 
You need to go back to the basics with exercise and weight loss in the forefront (as low cholesterol diet has been declared less important). There are other few medicines that could also be used. Also: having side effects from stronger statins does not mean that a "weaker" one can't be tried.

Question 3

can i take a statin with gilberts disease or will it make it worse?

Accepted Answer

: In a study published in Ann Clin Biochem 1994, a patient with Gilbert syndrome was treated with four classes of lipid lowering agents including statins and patient tolerated each class of medicine well without any rise in bilirubin. You please get monitored by your doctor while on statins Hopefully it. will cause no problem. Best of luck.

Question 4

took statin drugs 9 years side effects made me stop the drug will the 9 years i was on statins be a credit when i get into my 70s and 80's?

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol karma: Lets start by saying statins simply control a risk factor (hypercholesterolemia). There is no evidence that they extend your life. The more important question would be, what are your current risk factors? Are you eating right? Exercising?  Whats your bmi. What's your blood pressure? What's your cholesterol now? Talk to your doc. They can assess your risks and set you on the right course if action.

Question 5

i been on a statin for a year now & i recently read a article that said if you don't have a heart problem you shouldn't take them, should i stop?

Accepted Answer

Stains: Cholesterol: Statins are designed to lower the risk of getting arterial or heat disease from cholesterol. It is not a treatment for heart disease in and of itself.

Question 6

why are generic statins so expensive?

Accepted Answer

Statins: Generic statins are much cheaper than branded statins. They are still more expensive than we'd like probably because they still sell despite the price.

Question 7

what are some alternatives to statins?

Accepted Answer

: For patient who does not tolerate a statin formula, we can try a different formula. If all statins are intolerable, then we use ezetimibe (zetia) for blocking cholesterol absorption and/or the newest medications PCSK9 inhibitors or bempedoic acid (nexletol). Niacin and cholestyramine are no longer used for this purpose.  Good luck to you,

Question 8

why do statins need to be taken at bedtime?

Accepted Answer

Increased efficacy: The thought is that cholesterol formation in the liver is highest when sleeping, so a shorter acting statin would have the highest blood levels in the blood if taken at bedtime.
Some statins that have a longer time in the blood, so less of an issue.   
   According to their fda package inserts:
pravachol, crestor, and Lipitor (atorvastatin) can be taken at any time. Zocor is reported to take in evening.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: statins?

Accepted Answer

Class of medications: Several drugs exist which lower cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme in liver cells (hmg-coa reductase) that is involved in cholesterol synthesis. These all have generic names that end in -statin, e.g. Atorvastatin (lipitor) and Simvastatin (zocor). 
Since nearly all of the meds in this class have been shown to have similar cardiovascular benefits, we often discuss them as a group: statins.

Question 10

given the dangers of using statins is there a safer substitute for that medication?

Accepted Answer

you are mistaken: It's an unfortunate misconception to avoid statins because of their "danger." no other medication class has shown the magnitude of benefit as statins. Not taking them is like never driving your car because of the possibility of an accident. Serious side effects are exceptionally rare, around 1 in 100, 000.  Minor side effects are common (1 in 10) but are dose related - avoided with lower dose.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Do statins affect fingernails

A member asked:

Husband cholesterol is 9 what statin should he take?am amazed cause he doesn't eat a lot of fatty foods

A member asked:

How do you treat cholesterol problems if you can't take statins?

A member asked:

Can i take a statin with gilberts disease or will it make it worse?

A member asked:

Took statin drugs 9 years side effects made me stop the drug will the 9 years i was on statins be a credit when i get into my 70s and 80's?

A member asked:

I been on a statin for a year now & i recently read a article that said if you don't have a heart problem you shouldn't take them, should i stop?

A member asked:

Why are generic statins so expensive?

A member asked:

What are some alternatives to statins?

A member asked:

Why do statins need to be taken at bedtime?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: statins?

A member asked:

Given the dangers of using statins is there a safer substitute for that medication?

Sponsored Content

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?