What happens if you stop simvastatin

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. McDonagh is no stranger to confusion over these medications.

When he finally connected the dots between his medications and his symptoms, he found other people talking about the same thing online. He said patients may get mixed messages from optimistic doctors, the skeptical internet and even drug commercials, whose fast-talking voiceovers list off side effects. When patients come to Turchin with side effects, he said they weigh the risks for heart attack and stroke, the severity of their symptoms and how likely it is that those symptoms are due to the statin itself.

Some patients may try a different statin. Of the patients who continued taking statins in the new study, nearly two in five changed to a different statin. About a quarter of them reported a side effect on the new statin. Realizing that statins wouldn't work for him, McDonagh found the motivation he needed to lose weight. He lost roughly 45 pounds and has kept most of it off.

While he acknowledged that statins can be a big benefit to some, he stands by his decision. Join the conversation. He quickly added, "If something were to happen, maybe I'd feel different. 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. Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks. Products and services. Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke, although they may lead to side effects for some people.

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Show references Controlling cholesterol with statins. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Jan. Rosenson RS. Statins: Actions, side effects and administration.

Rosenson RS, et al. Statin muscle-related adverse events. Ferri FF. Statin-induced muscle syndromes. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Adhyaru BB, et al. Safety and efficacy of statin therapy. Nature Reviews Cardiology.

Alonso R, et al. Diagnosis and management of statin intolerance. Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis. Mach F, et al. Cardiovascular health is very complicated. Clinical trials of statins are inconsistent with some showing increased mortality, but others not. This new side effect of muscle aches had us both worried.

There are other side effects of statins that even though rare, now seemed more possible: diabetes and liver damage. When Bob called his doctor to ask about stopping statins and try to lower his cholesterol through a better diet, the doctor agreed immediately. They made a plan to check his cholesterol now and again in six months. In the meantime, Bob changed his diet to add fish and drop desserts, most of the time. He was at an age when many men lose muscle mass and that bothered him, so he voluntarily started going to the gym.

Statins are usually a lifetime sentence. People who can tolerate them, which is most people, never stop. I worried about the long-term effect of statins on the liver. Livers handle the extra strain of modern medicines well in general. But as we age, most of us will need some drugs to keep us healthy and active. That was my last, but most important reason to stop the statins. The fewer drugs he takes through his lifetime will limit the strain on his liver today.

That will allow the drugs he needs in the future to work more effectively.