Question: Why are cholesterol medications taken at bedtime?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
The best time to take cholesterol medications (statin treatment with drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor, and Pravachol etc.) is at nighttime when our liver is usually busy synthesizing natural cholesterol. Studies have shown that the equivalent dose taken at night may provide improved cholesterol reduction over similar doses taken during the daytime. You may also consider a preventive dose of CoQ10 supplement (usually 50-100 mg) when you use statin medications. Statins are known to deplete our natural supplies of CoQ10, and deficiencies may cause muscle aches that may be difficult to sort from a rare but serious statin complication called rhabdomyelosis. Muscle pain on statins usually means its time to stop the statin and assess for any sign of rhabdomyolysis. It is far easier to supplement and prevent problems than to deal with protracted muscle aches, not to mention the necessary investigation, interruption in therapy and blood testing that muscle aches on statins may precipitate.
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