Cholesterol (Statins)

Statins and other lipid-lowering medicines at PCTMart

The statins dominate this category. Atorvastatin is stocked at 10MG, 20MG, 40MG and 80MG, rosuvastatin at 5MG, 10MG, 20MG and 40MG, simvastatin at 10MG, 20MG and 40MG, and pitavastatin at the lower numbers its potency allows. Bempedoic acid is carried as a non-statin option, and there are combination products pairing atorvastatin with aspirin.

Potency does not translate between statins

The most useful thing to understand here is that the numbers do not translate between molecules. Rosuvastatin is roughly twice as potent as atorvastatin milligram for milligram, and both are considerably more potent than simvastatin. Moving from 40MG of one to 40MG of another is not a like-for-like switch, and it is the single most common error when a familiar brand is unavailable. Match the molecule as well as the number, or have the equivalent worked out for you.

Timing, and the grapefruit question

Timing differs too. Simvastatin is traditionally taken in the evening because the enzyme it acts on is most active overnight; atorvastatin and rosuvastatin have long enough half-lives that the time of day matters much less. Grapefruit juice meaningfully raises levels of some statins and not others.

Muscle symptoms, monitoring and interactions

Muscle aches are the side effect people most often encounter, and while they are usually mild, muscle pain with dark urine or marked weakness is a reason to stop and seek advice the same day. Liver enzymes are checked periodically on longer treatment. Interactions with certain antifungals, some antibiotics and a number of other medicines are well documented, so tell a pharmacist what else you take.

A note on coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is commonly asked about alongside statins for muscle symptoms. The evidence is mixed rather than settled, and it is worth raising with a doctor rather than assuming it will solve a problem that may warrant a change of molecule or dose instead.

This is treatment judged on blood results rather than symptoms, so it is worth staying with it and having it reviewed. Every listing shows molecule, strength and pack size. All stock ships from India via licensed distributors.