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Safety and Side Effects
You might be worried about the side effects of cholesterol-lowering medication. It's a valid concern. Every drug -- even aspirin -- has risks. But keep in mind that if your doctor prescribes a medication, it's because the benefit outweighs the harm. And, frankly, in most cases the harm is relatively slight. Millions of people take cholesterol-lowering drugs with few or no problems. Many of the drugs in use today have been used for 15 or more years.The most common side effects with most of these drugs are gastrointestinal problems, like nausea or stomach upset. Tell your doctor about any problems you're having, particularly if they persist. You may be able to change the dose or switch to a different medication -- there's no reason to suffer.
There's also a very slight risk of liver problems, because cholesterol drugs are processed in the liver, which puts additional stress on the organ. That's why your doctor will take blood tests to measure liver enzyme levels, a kind of snapshot of your liver's health, before starting you on a cholesterol medication. Six to eight weeks after starting the medication you'll undergo another test to make sure your liver is handling the drug all right. Even if your liver enzymes are slightly elevated, don't panic. Quite often they return to normal within a few weeks, even while you continue to take the medication.
If your doctor gives you a prescription, here is a list of questions to ask:
- What is this medicine for?
- What are the potential side effects, and what should I do about them?
- Are there any potential interactions with food, other prescription drugs, or over-the-counter drugs?
- How much should I take?
- When should I take it (for instance, with or without meals?)
- Will I need periodic blood testing?
- What if I forget to take a dose?
- Can I be confident that the likely benefits for me outweigh any risks?
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