Patient Guide: Talking With Your Doctor About Statin Intolerance

If you've been diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, you may have been prescribed a statin to lower your cholesterol. While statins are safe and effective for many people, some may experience side effects. These side effects may make it so that they can no longer take statins. This is called statin intolerance.¹

If you have statin intolerance, you may need to talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Since preparing for this discussion with your healthcare provider can be scary and you may not know exactly what to ask, read on for our helpful guide to advocating for yourself and getting the information you need to make the treatment choice that's right for you.

Preparing for your appointment

If your next appointment is fast approaching, having all of the documentation you need about your medical history (or knowing where it can be accessed) is important. Make sure your healthcare provider has access to your electronic record of test results, allergies, and any other conditions you live with alongside your high cholesterol.

Write down your list of questions for the doctor, too, so that you don't forget them. You may want to type them into a note on your phone or tablet. Bring your list to the appointment.

Questions about starting treatment

Everyone's list will be different, but here are a few important questions to ask your doctor if you're just starting treatment:

• What are my LDL and HDL cholesterol levels? What are the goal levels I'm trying to reach?
• Which type of medication would you recommend for my high cholesterol?
• How does the medication work?
• Are there any reported side effects of this medication?
• What should I do if I experience side effects?
• How will you know if my medication is working?
• How often do I need to make follow-up appointments or have lab work done?

Questions about switching treatments

If you have already tried a statin and are experiencing side effects that interfere with your daily life, talk to your doctor about your options. It is very important not to stop taking any medication without consulting your healthcare provider, as this can be dangerous and allow your high cholesterol to worsen.

Here are a few questions to ask when talking to your doctor about switching medications:

• I'm experiencing what I believe are side effects. Do you think these are related to the statin I'm taking? Why or why not?
• If I wanted to explore other options, what else would you recommend besides statins?
• How do these other medications work?
• Are there any reported side effects for these other medications? What should I do if I'm experiencing them?
• How will you know whether this new medication is working?
• Will taking a non-statin change anything about my treatment plan, such as follow-up schedules or lab work?

You are your best advocate

When having conversations about high cholesterol treatment with your healthcare provider, it's important to be honest, direct, and prepared. Here are a few more tips for an effective and informative discussion:

• Describe your symptoms/side effects: Share how things have changed for you since starting medications like statins. Know what the reported side effects are and be honest with your doctor about how these side effects are impacting your life. Don't wait until it's unbearable.
• Ask for the evidence: If you're unsure or struggling to make a treatment decision, ask your doctor how they came to their decision or recommendation. Ask if they've seen other patients with your side effects before, and whether a different treatment option may help you see results with fewer side effects.
• Keep a symptom journal: Bringing a record of your recent experiences with a new medication can be helpful in determining next steps. The more information your doctor has about how your treatment is going, the better they can assist with any roadblocks.
• Don't stop taking any medications: If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of statin intolerance, tell your doctor right away, and do not stop taking the statin unless advised to do so by your doctor. Stopping on your own can worsen your condition and lead to complications.
• Listen to your body: You are the expert on what you're experiencing. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you notice any changes or your symptoms worsen. Reporting these changes can help you take charge of your health.