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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?

RillaofIngleside Mon 23-Mar-26 13:42:12

I had terrible side effects from Simvastatin and Pravastatin which went when I stopped taking them. But don't even know I'm taking 10mg of atorvastatin. Been fine.

suelld Mon 23-Mar-26 13:45:12

A male friend cannot take statins ( mid 70s) @as he gets bad reactions. So he doesn’t take them … since diagnosis and refusing to take them he has had a few mini strokes. He has recovered from them immediately or within a few hours/ days and is perfectly normal, but I do worry he should be taking something…?

RinseAndRepeat Mon 23-Mar-26 13:57:30

suelld

A male friend cannot take statins ( mid 70s) @as he gets bad reactions. So he doesn’t take them … since diagnosis and refusing to take them he has had a few mini strokes. He has recovered from them immediately or within a few hours/ days and is perfectly normal, but I do worry he should be taking something…?

A GP can prescribe Ezetimibe which is a drug that reduces the absorption of cholesterol if a patient has concerns about statin intolerance.

He could also talk to his cardiologist about Inclisarin injections which are very effective.

dalrymple23 Mon 23-Mar-26 14:22:17

I have been on various statins for several years (following a h/a). No-one in the medical profession told me about the possible side effects - I have learnt everything via GN and the media, which has to be wrong. The cramps and leg pains have been unbearable. I have not seen the other side of my garden, as I just can't get there!

I have spent £000s on investigations, with no definitive answers. My new GP has put me on Ezetimibe, so will just have to see how that works. I have no idea how long it takes for the old statins to get out of the system or if the damage caused will be permanent. Time will tell.......

hjmhill Mon 23-Mar-26 14:31:10

Me too. I tried both Simvastatin and Atorvastatin for a while but they didn't suit me. Nothing really bad just some sleep disturbance and muscle cramps in calves. Have now been on Rosuvastatin for years with no issues but GP has just doubled my dose to 40mg. I have familial hypercholesterolaemia and my mum died at 49 yrs with her 4th heart attack. No statins in those days so now I am grateful just to be here aged 78 yrs. I credit statins for keeping me alive!

Jenthehen Mon 23-Mar-26 19:04:31

Snap to constipation side effect, I don't take it anymore

Milliedog Mon 23-Mar-26 19:17:27

Ive been taking 20mg Atorvastatin for a few years with no problems at all.

Warmglovesandsocks Mon 23-Mar-26 19:36:09

Just like Tanith I was started on 20mg. I’ve been on it a year or so with no problems.

Scrappydo Mon 23-Mar-26 20:00:56

I’m on 20mg and take it at night with no side effects. Hubby is on 40mg and was having nightmares. He now takes his in the morning & all is ok.

Menopauselbitch Mon 23-Mar-26 20:12:48

You could try plant sterols.

Thisismyname1953 Mon 23-Mar-26 20:17:38

I was a nurse on a stroke ward . I really do not want to have a stroke and for this reason when my doctor prescribed me me 20mg Atorvastatin 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I decided I would take it . I have never had any side effects of any medication and have been fine on atorvastatin.
People who are very slim can still have very high cholesterol. It can run in families .

Qwerty Mon 23-Mar-26 21:09:16

I take Atorvastatin (20mg), have done for years due to raised cholesterol. The doctor originally told me to change my, fairly healthy, diet. I discussed it with my pharmacist, showing him the printout, who pointed out that it was the family, DNA, element that was high, my dietary element was well within the normal range. I told the doctor this and he prescribed statins.
I've never had a problem with them.

Skodadoda Tue 24-Mar-26 06:44:12

Nannylovesshopping

Some of the cheaper statins first offered can cause pains in limbs, the more expensive ones not so much, I have taken Rosuvastatin for several years, this one I can tolerate, wanted to find one that suited me, any preventative meds I will take to avoid heart attack/stroke, to me it’s a no-brainer …

This is true. I was prescribed the cheaper statins, (simvastatin) and it didn’t suit me. I’ve now been taking Atorvastatin for years and it seems ok. There are lots of different types.

Kololo1 Tue 24-Mar-26 06:56:35

They gave my husband dreadful nose bleeds but when he changed to a different brand it was OK.

sandye Tue 24-Mar-26 08:47:47

I had to stop taking it on Doctors advice as the pains in my arm was really bad, felt like they were just hanging and very heavy all the time. Stopped taking it and pains stopped. Now going in Fluvastatin.

blue14 Tue 24-Mar-26 09:06:22

I was prescribed 10mg Atorvastatin over 20 years ago.
After tests it was raised to 20mg last year.
The pharmacist at the surgery then reminded me to take it close to bedtime.
I have no problems taking it.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 24-Mar-26 09:12:03

So did the 10mg not keep the cholesterol level low blue14?

MrsMatt Tue 24-Mar-26 12:26:54

I have taken it for a few years now, for cholesterol. I was put straight on 20mg from the beginning. The last time I was at the GP I asked when I could come off them. I was told that I would be on them forever. I have lost almost 5 stone in weight over the past year and would really rather not be on them. I don't know whether to just stop and see what happens or carry on for the rest of my days.

blue14 Tue 24-Mar-26 14:05:23

HelterSkelter1 - the problem was that my cholesterol is familial and hereditary. The doctor just advised that 20mg would benefit me more and as I have no side effects I was happy for the dose to be increased.