Life

Everyday health tips: When is the best time to take statins?

Statins are often better taken at night, although it depends on the specific drug
Statins are often better taken at night, although it depends on the specific drug Statins are often better taken at night, although it depends on the specific drug

CHOLESTEROL-busting statins are often better taken at night than in the morning, although it depends on the drug you’re taking. Statins help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood. They block an enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol.

Short-acting statins such as simvastatin are most effective at night as the liver enzyme is more active at this time.

A review of more than 1,000 patients, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology in 2017, found that when short-acting statins are taken in the evening, the drop in cholesterol was ‘significantly greater’ than when taken in the morning.

Longer-acting statins such as atorvastatin, can be taken at any time as they will still be active through the night.

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