Simvastatin 40mg changed to Atorvastatin 10mg

[sandyRoe]

A letter from my GP states that because I'm also taking Amlodipine my Simvastatin will be changed to Atorvastatin. The reason for this change is that taken in combination Amlodipine and Simvastatin can sometimes have serious side effects. Apart from leg cramps when I started on these medications what sort of side effects are they talking about?

[Sqad]

Not enough information sandy.

The combination of Simvastatin and Amlodopine can in some cases cause muscle damage by slowing down the process of metabolism in the liver.

No big deal to me, but your GP obviously is concerned.

Do what he has suggested.

[sandyRoe]

sagacious advice as ever, Sqad. TY.

[boxtops]

Sandy, I can't help you with the combination of the drugs, but I do know that it was Simvastatin 40mg which caused me serious problems with muscle pain and weakness, and I was taken off them. The damage was done by the time I was moved to Atorvastatin 20mg - so after a period without any (during which time my cholesterol was unmanaged) - the GP's now put me on Fluvostatin 20mg. I'm only been on them for 2 months (awaiting latest blood results) but fingers crossed, no muscle pain.

[sandyRoe]

Sorry to hear you had a bad reaction to Simvastatin, Boxtops. It sometimes seems medications are dished out on a trial and error basis and we're the guinea pigs they carry out the trials on.

[dennisb66]

I have been taking Amlodipine and Simvastatin for 20 years,no serious side effects Im aware of. My blood pressure is maintained at normal and my cholestoral at 3 at last annual check.

[boxtops]

well done dennis, are you careful with your diet, too?

[boxtops]

PS Sandy, what is "interesting" to me is that I was on Simvastatin for 2 years before any reactions appeared - then, oh my, the pain....

[dennisb66]

"well done dennis, are you careful with your diet, too"

To some extent Boxtops,I love salads and very rarely use a frying pan.