Statins represent a moderate risk to those fighting alcohol addiction because of the way in which they interact with alcohol. Your doctor may prescribe statins if you have cardiovascular disease, or if your record of family history demonstrates a risk of cardiovascular disease. Whilst it is OK to drink to the recommended UK guidelines, too much alcohol can have an adverse effect and increase the risk of further liver damage. Before your doctor offers you statins, he or she will ask about your alcohol intake and it is important to be honest about this. If you are drinking high levels of alcohol, this may interfere with the treatment.
Medical history is replete with examples of therapeutics that, over time, offer only attenuated benefits and, consequently, more restricted indications. Digitalis, beta-blockers, and aspirin (for primary prevention) represent just a few examples. Instead, the organization advises watching your weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Statins are medications used to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. By reducing cholesterol production in the liver, they help decrease the risk of heart diseases and strokes. Since heavy drinking also increases liver function, if combined with statins, this can lead to an abnormal rise in liver enzymes.
A few studies have found that people who drink alcohol in moderation have lower rates of heart disease, and might even live longer than those who abstain. Alcohol has also been tied to a lower risk of blood clots and decreased levels of inflammation markers. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation with statins and alcohol use. While moderate alcohol consumption might be okay for some, understanding the potential risks ensures you make informed decisions about your health. For some people taking statins, consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol may be safe. For people with coexisting conditions like liver disease, no amount of alcohol consumption may be safe.
Statins and Alcohol: a deadly mix?
- Robynn received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University and has been practicing in rural family medicine since.
- In addition, those who have liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C infections may respond better to medications (interferon) when they are given statins.
- To help reduce health problems, medical experts often recommend limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.
- Research has shown statins can cause liver injury resulting in a need for liver transplant or death.
- LDL is the “bad cholesterol” that can build up in your blood vessels and form a plaque along the walls.
- Drinking alcohol whilst taking statins can cause the possible side effects to be exacerbated, turning them from minor to very serious.
Statins or other cholesterol medications work by lowering LDL (low density lipoproteins, or “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides. They can also raise HDL (high density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol). These oral medicines are available as single agents or in combination with other medicines. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients.
ADDICTION TREATMENTS
While combining Lipitor and alcohol is potentially harmful to the liver, there is no solid research to confirm a higher risk of problems in those who take this medication and drink alcohol. Liver injury in people who drink alcohol and take statins is most likely caused by the alcohol, with no additional effect from the statins. Having a high level of statins in your body can raise your risk of side effects from the drug. Symptoms may include muscle pain, muscle weakness, and dark-colored urine.
Muscle Matters
Due to the effect of statins on the function of your liver, mixing them with alcohol is not recommended. Certainly infrequent, low-level consumption of alcohol may have no lasting repercussions, but such consumption does increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Statins work in the liver to reduce cholesterol production, but in rare instances, they can elevate liver enzymes indicating potential inflammation or damage.
- If your doctor prescribes Reyvow with an antidepressant it interacts with, watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
- A 2014 Johns Hopkins meta-analysis of 20 years’ worth of published research indicated that the risks of long-term use of statin drugs are low, and the potential benefits are very high.
- Digitalis, beta-blockers, and aspirin (for primary prevention) represent just a few examples.
- Robynn Lowe is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years in the medical field.
- They stabilize and reduce the size of the coronary artery plaques that can lead to heart attacks, the leading cause of death in the U.S. before cancer.
- However, what you might not be told are the risks that come with using alcohol alongside medications such as statins.
Reyvow has interactions with alcohol, some other drugs, and certain supplements. Examples include citalopram (Celexa) and simvastatin (FloLipid, Zocor). As you become older, you are likely to have other medical conditions for which you may be on some medications.
Reyvow interactions with supplements
They stabilize and reduce the alcohol and statins size of the coronary artery plaques that can lead to heart attacks, the leading cause of death in the U.S. before cancer. Statins can increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney damage and, eventually, kidney failure. It is often not safe for people with liver disease or dysfunction to take statins. However, heavy drinkers or those who already have liver damage due to heavy drinking could be at greater risk for more serious side effects. Reyvow (lasmiditan) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for migraine treatment.
One of the reasons is that since alcohol and cholesterol medicine both are processed through the liver, they are, in a way, competing with each other for clearance. So, if you are predisposed to being diabetic or if high triglycerides is one of your issues, it’s not a good idea to drink alcohol at all. Heart and circulatory disease are much more prevalent than you might think.
Reyvow and health-related interactions
If your doctor prescribes Reyvow with an antidepressant it interacts with, watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome. If you have any symptoms, your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to keep taking either drug. Serotonin syndrome can cause changes in blood pressure, excessive sweating, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Why Is It Important To Follow The Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines When Taking Statins?
To learn more about Reyvow and statins, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor will likely recommend that you not drink alcohol while taking Reyvow. This is because the combination of alcohol and Reyvow may cause extreme sleepiness and dizziness. It is evident that statins can cause problems with the liver, and being aware of these problems and what the symptoms might look like can help in preventing or treating them. There are some risks of much more serious side effects when taking statins. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey.