Statin counselling

Question 1

Check for contraindications

Answer 1

• Pregnancy

Question 2

How the treatment works

Answer 2

• Statins stop the liver making cholesterol
• High cholesterol causes problems with your arteries, which increases risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease
• It is important to address other cardiovascular risk factors

Question 3

Treatment course and how it’s taken

Answer 3

• Once daily tablet in the evening
• Taken long term
• Decreases risk over many years

Question 4

Monitoring required

Answer 4

• Review in 4 weeks, then every 6-12 months (with lipid profile as required) –> Dose may be titrated up if target not met
• LFTs before starting, at 3 months and at 12 months (statins cause altered LFTs)

Question 5

Side effects

Answer 5

• Muscle pains
• Headache
• Itching
• Also nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Rhabdomyolysis - tell doctor if you experience unexpected muscle pain
• Some statins interact with grapefruit juice