Top 10 Side Effects

1. Resins - constipation, bloating, fullness, gas
   • Start medication at a low dose and increase slowly.
   • Eat a diet high in fibre
   • Drink plenty of liquid
2. Statins - Mild stomach upset
   • Take with food
   • Decreases over time
3. Niacin - Flushing, itching
   • Low dose ASA daily for the first few weeks may reduce flushing
   • Avoid hot showers, hot drinks, spicy food, or alcohol for 1-2 hours after taking medication
   • Avoid missing a dose
   • This side effect decreases over time
4. Niacin - Stomach upset, reactivation of peptic ulcers
   • Take with food
   • See health care provider if symptoms become severe, stools become dark, have a coffee ground appearance, or if there is blood in the stool
5. Statins, Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor, Fibrates - Myopathy/rhabdomyolysis
   • Rare but serious side effect
   • See your health care provider immediately if you are experiencing muscle pain, dark urine, muscle weakness, and tenderness
   • Risk is increased when statins are taken with medications that decrease the metabolism of statins. Health care provider should monitor carefully if patient is taking (fibrates, erythromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem, antiretrovirals or niacin
   • Do not take fibrates if you have liver disease, or severe kidney disease.
   • Avoid grapefruit juice
6. Statins, Niacin - Liver toxicity
   • Report symptoms of severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue or flu like symptoms to your health care provider
   • Be sure to have all recommended blood and urine tests
   • Be sure your health care providers are aware of all of the medications you are taking, both prescription and over the counter.
7. Statins - Sleep Disturbance
   • Generally disappears as one adjusts to the medication
   • Get plenty of exercise
   • Practice good sleep hygiene-i.e. going to bed when tired, dark, cool, room, regular sleep time, avoid caffeine late in the day, avoid exercising close to bedtime
8. Niacin - Dry skin
   • Use mild body wash instead of soap
   • Drink plenty of fluids
   • Moisturize regularly
9. Increased sensitivity to sunlight
   • Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight (particularly from 10 am to 3 pm)
   • Use sunscreen
   • Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds
10. Headache
    • Decreases with use
    • Use a pain reliever