Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Switching statins

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7554.1344 (Published 08 June 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:1344

Rapid Response:

Switching statins; side effects

I read the article by Moon and Bogle with great interest as I had
been switched from atorvastatin to simvastatin when I registered with my
new GP. I experienced significant side effects of muscle pains and
stiffness, tiredness and interference with libido in spite of careful
titration downwards. After a few months, I asked my GP to put me back on
atorvastatin and the side effects vanished quickly. I now look forward to
becoming old enough to relinquish statins altogether, thus saving the NHS
some costs.

It may be worth offering a warning about side effects that could
well impede compliance.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

07 September 2006
Michael R Pokorny
retired consultant psychiatrist
Home; HR9 7UE