Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications for individuals with high cholesterol, helping to manage the condition and reduce the risk of serious health issues such as strokes or heart disease. For most patients, this medication requires daily intake, but Dr Oscar Duke, a GP appearing on BBC's Morning Live, reassured viewers that missing a single dose will not completely derail their treatment plan.
What Happens If You Miss a Dose?
During the show, Dr Oscar addressed a viewer's question about whether statins remain effective when taken “sporadically.” He explained: “Ideally you should take every day, that's how most of the studies have been done. But occasionally we do use them on alternate days for people who've had problems taking their statins or are a bit intolerant to statins and we don't see a massive difference in the cholesterol levels compared to if you're doing it every day. So ideally, every day (but) if you miss a day or something, it's not a disaster, just carry on as normal.”
According to NHS guidance, if you miss a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, simply take your usual dose and continue as normal. Do not take two doses together to 'make up' for the forgotten pill.
Understanding Statin Side Effects
Earlier in the programme, Dr Oscar discussed a news article about potential side effects of statins. He acknowledged that reading the side effects list for any medication can be “terrifying,” but reassured viewers that in medicine, doctors “balance” the risk against the benefit of each drug. He added: “People occasionally come up with these side effects. Yes. And that can be anything from muscle ache to liver involvement, but it is not the picture for most people.”
Dr Oscar encouraged viewers not to “just take my word for it” and cited a study by the British Heart Foundation published in the Lancet journal that analysed statin side effects. According to him, the study found that only around four of the 66 listed side effects were actually reported by patients, with the most common being muscle aches, which affected only 1% of people on these tablets.
Common Side Effects of Statins
The NHS notes that side effects from statins can vary depending on the specific type of statin taken. The more common side effects include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Feeling sick
- Feeling more tired or weaker than usual
- Flatulence
- Problems with pooing, such as constipation or diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Sleep problems
The NHS advises: “Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you get any side effects at all, and if they bother you or do not go away. Your doctor may recommend trying a lower dose of pravastatin or a different statin.”
