Mail Monday: Taking Supplements with Statins?

Q.   I'm taking statins.  Are there any supplements I should take or possibly avoid?

A.   So you're taking statins - well, you are certainly not alone! In fact, according to Health United States, 2010 statins are being used by 1 in 4 people over the age of 45  in the US.  Statins are a class of drugs meant to reduce cholesterol.  Now there are many schools of thought regarding statins but instead of taking you down tangents, I'll answer your question as is.

May reduce side effects:

CoQ10 When taking a statin, muscle pain is a fairly common side effect. Multiple studies have shown supplementing with CoQ10, which is diminished by statins along with cholesterol, can reduce or eliminate these muscle pains.  100mg of CoQ10 per day should be enough to do the trick!  

May support medication:

Omega-3 Supplementing with Omega-3 has been shown to help statins manage cholesterol in the body by reducing the inflammation that can kick off atherosclerosis. Try to get at least 1,500mg of Omega-3 daily.

May cause negative interaction:

Red Yeast Rice Within Red Yeast rice is a naturally occurring substance called Monocolin K which is, in fact, a statin.  Some doctors will recommend taking the two together but until you talk to yours, it is best to avoid the combination.

Worth noting here is that some patients find Red Yeast Rice to be an effective statin substitute.  Its cholesterol lowering benefits are well documented and is typically free of side effects.  As always, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before beginning any diet, supplement regimen or changing your prescribed medications.

Thanks for your question about prescription/supplement interactions.  If you have any additional questions please feel free to call us here at Hoey Apothecary @ 608.221.4639 or email me @ joshua@hoeyrx.com.

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Hoey Apothecary is a traditional pharmacy with a passion for holistic wellness.  From retail supplements to custom pharmaceutical compounding, we are here to support you and your unique health and wellness goals.  Visit us at 217 Cottage Grove Rd in Madison, WI or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hoeyapothecary.  Bridging the gap between nature and medicine - Hoey Apothecary!