Good Lifestyle

If you have high cholesterol or are at high risk to heart disease , your doctor may have mentioned the possibility of taking statins. Also known as HMG-COA Reductase inhibitors, statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs and can help Lower your cholesterol levels 50% or more, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

"Statins are annoying when your liver tries to do cholesterol," explain their experts. "Like a good basketball player who does not let an opponent get the ball, the statins do not let your liver have an enzyme he needs to create cholesterol. Big difference."

However, as with all other drugs, it is important to weigh the risks and advantages of start -up statins with the help of your doctor and discuss all the questions you may have with your pharmacist. You don't know where to start? Read the rest for the first five questions that your pharmacist wants to ask you before taking statins.

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Before starting statins, it is important to understand their potential side effects. "With them being so largely prescribed and used, there is a lot of information (and sometimes disinformation) concerning the potential side effects of statins," explains Brian Staiger , Pharmd, clinical pharmacist with over 13 years of experience, and the owner and editor -in -chief of Hellopharmacist.com . "Two of the most common side effects concerning statins are problems of muscle pain and memory," he explains Better life .

By discussing the entire range of possible side effects, you can make an informed decision as to whether the statins suit you. This will also help you understand "exactly what to look for, how to potentially mitigate risks and how to manage these side effects if they occur," says Staiger.

This will ultimately make you less likely to stop medication suddenly or prematurely, which could put you at the risk of undesirable effects.

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It is also important to understand whether statins can interact with other drugs, supplements or food. "There are a number of drugs from different statins, and they each have their own specific precautions," explains Staiger. "Several statins can interact with food (such as grapefruit juice and simvastatin), while others can interact with antacids," he notes.

The pharmacist adds that statins generally interact with certain Plant -based supplements , like red yeast rice. "It is important to be aware of drugs, both on prescription and over -the -counter, which include plant -based supplements, which can interact and put you at risk for side effects."

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The type of statin you take can influence the day of the day you take your medication. By asking your pharmacist what is the best time, you can establish a routine that works both for your schedule and optimizes the effects of the drug.

"Some statins can be taken at any time during the day, while others should be taken at night for the best effects," said Stairger. "All this is based on how our body metabolizes these drugs, which varies according to the specific statin in question," explains Staiger.

In addition to selecting a particular type of statin, your doctor will also have prescribed a low, medium or high dose. Kim Russo , Pharmd, bcps, co-founder and please clinical services of Aspen RXHEALTH , said that is something you should chat with your pharmacist before you start your new diet.

"It is important that patients are engaged in their health. Better life . She adds that this also helps the patient to understand "what will be the next steps to assess whether this dose is adequate, or if it should be adjusted in the coming weeks or months".

Finally, Russo says that it is imperative to raise all the concerns you may have, taking a moment to explain what worries you about these aspects of taking medication.

"This question helps the doctor or pharmacist to meet the patient where he is," she said. "Patients may have an exaggerated feeling of concern about certain drugs according to the things they have heard of unreliable sources or anecdotes of friends or family members. Patients should have the information they need To feel as comfortable as possible, "said Russo Better life .