What happens if you stop taking lipitor

She said that there is plenty of good evidence to recommend statins to patients who have had cardiovascular problems, but that there is "little to no benefit" in using statins to prevent a cardiac event in those who haven't had one before. The latter remains a topic of debate. Experts say that McDonagh's experience as a patient is uncommon, but exactly how uncommon is unclear. It is difficult to know whether a reported symptom is truly caused by statins, and many studies do not ask patients about common side effects, according to experts.

Roughly one in five patients on statins experienced a side effect, the new study found. This is higher than other studies have estimated, but it could have to do with the way the study was designed, Turchin said.

Bad heart? Time to hit the gym. Nissen said that statins have developed a "bad reputation with the public," largely due to websites that peddle scary and unscientific claims about statins. These claims, Nissen said, could actually increase reported side effects. The more patients are aware -- and perhaps fearful -- of statins and their side effects, the more likely they are to report those side effects.

This phenomenon is known as the "nocebo effect," the opposite of the placebo effect. Heavy media coverage of statins may also lead people to stop taking them, according to a study from the UK. However, this effect disappeared after six months. New U. There is limited evidence to prove a cause-effect relationship, but talk to your doctor if you experience memory loss or confusion while taking statins. There has also been evidence that statins may help with brain function — in people with dementia, for example.

This is still being studied. Don't stop taking your statin medication before talking to your doctor. Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some people may be at a greater risk than are others.

Risk factors include:. Grapefruit juice contains a chemical that can interfere with the enzymes that break down metabolize the statins in your digestive system.

While you won't need to eliminate grapefruit entirely from your diet, ask your doctor about how much grapefruit you can have. There are many drugs that may interact with statins, so be sure your doctor is aware of all the medicines you take when being prescribed with statins. To relieve side effects believed to be caused by statins, your doctor may recommend several options.

Discuss these steps with your doctor before trying them:. Although side effects believed to be caused by statins can be annoying, consider the benefits of taking a statin before you decide to stop taking your medication. Remember that statin medications can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and the risk of life-threatening side effects from statins is very low. If you have read about the potential side effects of statins, you may be more likely to blame your symptoms on the medication, whether or not they're truly caused by the drug.

Even if your side effects are frustrating, don't stop taking your statin medication for any period of time without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor may be able to come up with an alternative treatment plan that can help you lower your cholesterol without uncomfortable side effects.

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A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. However, the studies had examined very few cases of statin use during pregnancy, so the authors of the review were unable to rule out the risk.

Some people have concerns about statins increasing their risk of cancer or dementia or other neurocognitive problems. While some people may develop dementia or cancer while taking statins, it is often because their risk of these conditions has increased with age. Stopping statin treatment can be dangerous for certain people, especially those who have a history of stroke, heart attack, or stenting.

A study investigated whether quitting or reducing statin use increased the risk of a second ischemic stroke IS in people who had previously been in the hospital for the condition.

The study included a total of 45, participants. Meng Lee, concluded that doctors should discourage people who have experienced a stroke from coming off statins. Lee added that reducing the dosage may be an option. Anyone considering coming off statins should first discuss it with their doctor.

The doctor may deem it too dangerous and may lower the dosage to a more tolerable level. Taking a lower dosage of statins may mean incorporating another cholesterol lowering drug into the treatment plan.

In rare cases, a doctor may suggest stopping statin treatment altogether and replacing it with a different cholesterol lowering drug. PCSK9 inhibitors bind to and inactivate the protein. This allows the liver to absorb more LDL cholesterol and reduce levels of this type of cholesterol in the blood.

Selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors SCAIs prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. These drugs mainly reduce levels of LDL cholesterol. Other treatment options include other lipid lowering therapies, which reduce levels of triglyceride fats in the blood.

Studies suggest that high levels of triglycerides may increase the risk of stroke, although confirming this will require further research.

There are many reasons that a person may want to come off statins. Some people experience or are concerned about side effects. Others may feel that they no longer need to take this type of drug. Additionally, the U.

Preventive Services Task Force recommends the drugs to people ages 40 to 75 years without a history of heart disease who have one or more risk factors and a year risk of a heart attack or stroke of at least 10 percent.

Despite the overwhelming evidence in favor of statins, a quarter to a half of patients stop taking the drugs within six months to a year, Dr. To see whether people who continue taking statins - including those who switch to a different type or a lower dose - end up with better outcomes than people who stop taking the drugs, the researchers analyzed data drawn from two Boston hospitals between and During that period, more than , adults were treated with statins.