Show If you’ve had a cholesterol check recently, your doctor may have talked to you about adding a statin to your daily routine to help reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If that happens, or you’ve been taking statins for a while, you might be wondering if you’ll be able to stop taking statins in the future. Below, we’ll answer that question, explain what a statin is, and outline the possible side effects. Statins are prescription medications that can lower your cholesterol levels. Statins stop the production of cholesterol in your body and help your body reabsorb the cholesterol that’s built plaques on your artery walls. This reduces your risk of blood vessel blockages and heart attacks. Typically, statins are very successful at lowering your cholesterol, but they only work as long as you continue taking them. Most people who are taking a statin medication will likely be taking it for the rest of their lives. The most common statins are:
Can You Stop Taking Statins?If you’ve had a heart attack or stroke and your doctor prescribes a statin, it’s best to stick with the medication, even if you’re living a healthier lifestyle. On the other hand, if you haven’t had a heart attack or stroke and are taking statins to reduce your cholesterol, ending statin use can be an option. First, it’s recommended that you start with lifestyle improvements, like diet and exercise, then talk to your doctor. In the end, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons. When you stop statin use, and your cholesterol starts getting high, your risk for a heart attack or stroke increases. Reasons for Stopping Taking StatinsThere are various reasons why people want to stop taking statins. Some of the most common reasons include:
When to Talk to Your DoctorIt’s important to know that stopping statins cold turkey, or even gradually, can cause serious health problems and you should talk to your doctor before doing so. To understand more about your heart health, take a health risk assessment at Baptist Health. Next Steps and Useful Resources: Antioxidants for Heart
Health What happens if you stop statins suddenly?If you quit cold turkey, your body can go into shock. It is not recommended that you stop statins suddenly if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, as it can put you at a higher risk of recurrent heart attack. You should speak with your doctor before stopping the medicine under any circumstance.
How long does it take for cholesterol medication to get out of your system?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.
Is it OK to stop taking statins?Check with your doctor whether there's a particular time of day you should take your statin. You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level. If you forget to take your dose, do not take an extra one to make up for it.
Can you stop taking statins without side effects?It's possible for some people to stop taking statins safely, but it can be especially risky for others. For instance, if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, it's not recommended that you stop taking these drugs. This is because you're more likely to have another such problem when you discontinue statins.
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