Any evidence to support statins and aspirin are better taken at night?

Posted by Joe M. @joem, May 7, 2016

Is there evidence or studies that support this article from the UK that statins and aspirin are better taken at night? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2809844/Popular-medicines-statins-aspirin-effective-taken-NIGHT.html

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@lynnkay1956

This from Harvard....a reliable source...Getting the most from your statin

You can do several things to make sure your particular statin is working the best it can.

Take Mevacor with food. This almost doubles the amount of medication that gets into your bloodstream.
Take some statins at night. It’s best to take Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Lescol with your evening meal. That’s because these statins block a key cholesterol-making enzyme in the liver that is most active at night. Lipitor and Crestor last long enough in the body that it doesn’t matter when you take them.
Beware of drug interactions. Mention all other medications you are taking when talking with your doctor about a statin, to avoid potentially harmful interactions. If you are on other medications, you may want to try Pravachol, which is less likely than the other statins to interact with other medications. http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the_healthy_heart_preventing_detecting_and_treating_coronary_artery_disease

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I absolutely believe that the statin caused your and my problems which are similar. I am shocked that your cardiologist suggested stopping for a few weeks. My experience with 2 cardiologists is that they are in love with this drug and would rather lose their license than try another drug. Your post is dated 5/8/16 so I would be interested how this all turned out. I stopped taking Atorvastin for 7 wks this July -August and the folks in our ride group ask me what kind of drugs I am taking since I've gone from the drag up the hill to near the front riders. This means nothing to the cardiologist. One told me I didn't have to be first up the hill. (Never was or will be.) Another reiterated that my Neuropathy (July 15) was causing my muscle soreness from 2005 to the day I stopped the statin. Yes, I've heard that old idea that I'm not as young as I used to be - twice. I gets old having sore muscles for 10 years. Hope you found an answer. Check out The University of San Diego's study of statin side effects.

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@lynnkay1956

This from Harvard....a reliable source...Getting the most from your statin

You can do several things to make sure your particular statin is working the best it can.

Take Mevacor with food. This almost doubles the amount of medication that gets into your bloodstream.
Take some statins at night. It’s best to take Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor, and Lescol with your evening meal. That’s because these statins block a key cholesterol-making enzyme in the liver that is most active at night. Lipitor and Crestor last long enough in the body that it doesn’t matter when you take them.
Beware of drug interactions. Mention all other medications you are taking when talking with your doctor about a statin, to avoid potentially harmful interactions. If you are on other medications, you may want to try Pravachol, which is less likely than the other statins to interact with other medications. http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the_healthy_heart_preventing_detecting_and_treating_coronary_artery_disease

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Thank you so much for your insights, @downhillbob. I'm certain that @thankful and other Connect members appreciate all the information and support.

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@colleenyoung

@joem we took your question to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She offers this information:

"Great question Joe. @lynnkay1956’s response about the body making more cholesterol at night is correct. With regard to aspirin: Taking aspirin at night is still being studied. A 2013 Dutch study found that the platelet activity in the morning was decreased more when aspirin was taken at bedtime rather than in the morning. However, the study also stated that further research is needed to determine if this actually decreases the amount of morning cardiovascular events. In other words, it may affect the platelet activity, but it has yet to be seen if it actually decreases the number of heart attacks and strokes. Key points to keep in mind with aspirin therapy: 1. Discuss with your doctor before starting it. 2. Take it at the same time every day."

Hope this helps.

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I didn't know about the guidance to take the aspirin at night. Thanks for making me aware.

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I think Atorvastin gives me nightmares. Anybody else?

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@lizabeth4

I think Atorvastin gives me nightmares. Anybody else?

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I know I have no problems with it. I take it first thing in the morning however.

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@dringge

I know I have no problems with it. I take it first thing in the morning however.

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If you research it you will find most statins work best if taken at night due to the way the liver produces cholesterol and half life of drug. I had a friend that got best results when taken right before bed time.

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@daniel777

If you research it you will find most statins work best if taken at night due to the way the liver produces cholesterol and half life of drug. I had a friend that got best results when taken right before bed time.

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Ill look into it. My doctor said to take it in the morning.

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@dringge

I know I have no problems with it. I take it first thing in the morning however.

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I take 40mg every evening for three years. My total cholesterol has been 102-104 constantly.
I found that taking 300 mg Of Co-Q10 keeps joints and muscles pretty much pain free.
I power lift 5 times a week do a full machine and free weight workout rotate treadmill-Elliptical and 40 yd winds prints 4X.
I'll be 73 in a few months feel 43 all because of resistance training which I recommend to avoid Sarcopenia (muscle mass loss and strength).
Our bodies were built for activity not jus walking (which is fine); we need high intensity training since our society has become so domesticated.
40% or more of tissue is muscle the largest organ we have. Speak with your doctor first!

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