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Atorvastatin 20 mg

(70 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Sat 21-Mar-26 17:46:49

I have been prescribed Atorvastatin following a blood test showing raised cholesterol. I have a family history of close relatives having strokes and heart problems.
My weight is normal BMI 20 and blood pressure low. I will watch dairy and fats in my diet.

How did GNs find Atorvastatin and did you start on 20mg or 10 mg and then increase slowly?

Poppyred Sun 22-Mar-26 17:08:00

I’ve just been prescribed these! My cholesterol is 10.6 😱 Wasn’t going to take them having read the horrendous side effects……

TwiceAsNice Sun 22-Mar-26 16:52:58

I’ve taken this for years somewhere between 20/30 can’t remember . It has brought my cholesterol right down and no side effects. I take it before I go to bed each night

Jodieb Sun 22-Mar-26 16:43:38

I am on 10g have been for around a year. My cholesterol was good but I have CKD (kidney) which can lead to cardiovascular disease.
( I think I've got that right ).
I'm now told my cholesterol is perfect.

cc Sun 22-Mar-26 16:16:11

midgey

I was told to take my 20mg at night as it works better at night.

Yes, so was I, but I find that it's easier to remember to take it with my breakfast.

Grandma70s Sun 22-Mar-26 16:15:09

I’ve been taking it for years, no problems. I take it in the evening, not usually with food.

cc Sun 22-Mar-26 16:14:58

My husband has heart failure so has to take these amongst his cocktail of drugs. I also take Atorvastatin and do sometimes have unexplained pain in legs and hips, but happy to take it as I want to live a long time.

Greyduster Sun 22-Mar-26 15:58:53

I fought against taking statins for a considerable time and then gave in. Don’t even think about it now. No side effects that I’m aware of.

PamelaJ1 Sun 22-Mar-26 15:50:19

Like Taunton here am I, slimish, very active. Had my collapse on the tennis court.
Now I’m on Bisoprolol and Atorvastatin. I told the Dr I couldn’t reduce my cholesterol by diet as my diet is pretty healthy. Had a blood test a few months after starting Atorvastatin at my request- the GP had already ticked the box so I had been sidelined.
My cholesterol was lower so I continued taking them. No side effects here.

Taunton Sun 22-Mar-26 15:37:04

I’m slim, fit, very active, non meat eater and early sixties. Never been offered a cholesterol check and stupidity was never pro-active in getting it tested.
Three days ago, despite feeling well, I suddenly developed chest and side pain and was diagnosed as having had a heart attack- with pretty high cholesterol.
Obviously now on statins (and other drugs) and told cholesterol likely due to genetics.
It just shows we can sometimes do everything right but these issues still happen! Seriously scary thing to go through…

midgey Sun 22-Mar-26 14:15:34

I was told to take my 20mg at night as it works better at night.

Iam64 Sun 22-Mar-26 14:12:50

Holoysteers I’ve found magnesium supplement stopped night cramps

hollysteers Sun 22-Mar-26 13:35:02

I’m sure my statin medication gives me severe cramp and I’m planning to see the doc as don’t want to stop completely as I have a family history of strokes and heart attacks.

Whiff Sun 22-Mar-26 13:27:51

HS I take mine at 6.30am on empty stomach they have a coating on them to prevent tummy upset. I take a lot of tablets and like to space them out so wake every morning at 5am to take my first 4 tablets .

Marydoll Sun 22-Mar-26 11:16:39

Iam64

I’m on the statin. Cholestoral now good.
Debbie58 - I have RA, tedious isn’t it

Ditto!

MiniMoon Sun 22-Mar-26 11:10:35

I take mine with my lansoprazole as soon as I get up, this was agreed with my prescriber. I have had no problems taking it in the morning.

silverlining48 Sun 22-Mar-26 10:15:39

I started avastatin last September. Low BP, heart rate of 50 ish and have always been careful with diet and walk a lot. No family history of heart problems .
I don’t take any other regular medication and wanted to start on 10 mg but was told it did not exist so reluctantly agreed to 20 mg. He lied because it does exist.
However cholesterol is down from 6 to 4 so it worked and I have had no problems. I am considering requesting 10 mg or maybe start taking them every other day.

Liaise Sun 22-Mar-26 08:58:06

DH and I both take Atorvastatin. I take 20mg as I have RA and he takes 10mg. The prescription says take it at bedtime. I think the reason is that there are more heart attacks at night than at daytime. Just take it with water.

dragonfly46 Sun 22-Mar-26 08:53:13

I couldn’t take it as it gave me aching legs. I tried a few other statins but now take Ezetimibe which lowers my cholesterol but is not a statin.

nanna8 Sun 22-Mar-26 08:38:24

I’ve been taking them since I was in my 40 s and I am now in. Y 70 s. No problems and I am fairly sure they have saved my life - my cholesterol levels were hideous as were most of my family who all died of heart attacks.

tanith Sun 22-Mar-26 08:30:27

I take mine after my evening meal between 6 or 7.

HelterSkelter1 Sun 22-Mar-26 08:20:51

I collected my prescription and will start today.
Those who take Atorvastatin do you take it at night or early evening? And with food?

RosesandLilac Sun 22-Mar-26 06:29:58

I’ve been taking Atorvastatin for 7 years now, no side effects at all.

Whiff Sun 22-Mar-26 06:02:26

HS1 been taking 20mg Atorvastatin for over a year as I have slight furring in my right artery and taking it to prevent further build up . Recently had fasting blood test. I always have fasting blood test as I feel it gives best results and drink pint of water before leaving home . Doesn't matter if I need the loo before I go the water has increased my blood .

Last year my cholesterol was 4.4 this year 3.5 . For over 10 years I have had low but stable sodium levels but this year my sodium levels where in the normal range . I can only assume the tablet has helped with my sodium levels which I am glad of . Not had any side effects. I have PAF and born with hole in the side of my heart .

HelterSkelter1 Sat 21-Mar-26 23:04:01

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies

MiniMoon Sat 21-Mar-26 20:19:31

My bad cholesterol went up after having my gallbladder removed. I was prescribed atorvastatin 15mg. Have had one surprising side effect. The knee pain I have suffered for 3 years has decreased dramatically and I no longer need to take ibuprofen at bedtime. So all is good.