Taking cholesterol medication properly is very important to keep your heart healthy and lower your chances of a stroke or heart attack.
While eating healthy and exercising help manage cholesterol, sometimes doctors also prescribe medicine like statins to reduce it.
Most people who start on these medications need to continue taking them for life to keep their cholesterol levels down.
Cardiologists from Parade explain that statins are best taken in the evening, but longer-acting types like rosuvastatin can be taken any time. What’s crucial is taking the medicine at the same time each day to maintain steady levels in your body.
If you forget a dose, it’s okay, just take your next dose at the normal time. Never double up on your medication the next day as this can lead to serious side effects like muscle and liver damage, warns Dr. Davidson, a heart expert.
One big mistake to avoid is taking your statin with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. According to Parade, this fruit can interfere with how your body breaks down the medication, making it dangerous.
Another tip from Dr. Goldberg is not to take statins at the same time as Paxlovid (a COVID-19 medication), since it can raise your risk of heart issues.
Remember, Parade advises asking your doctor any questions you have about your medication to make sure it’s safe and effective for you. When taken correctly, cholesterol medicine can be life-saving.
Credit : Parade
https://parade.com/health/cholesterol-medication-mistake-to-avoid