Stop, stop, stop! This statin was immediately stopped for the patient, and the director shouted to the doctor during the ward round.
♂️ The atmosphere in the ward suddenly became tense.
Here's what happened.
- This morning, Professor Wang asked the attending doctor on the side. "How's the patient doing?"
- The patient's lipid level is still high, but he said that he has been feeling muscle aches and some fatigue recently. The attending doctor replied cautiously.
- Professor Wang frowned, immediately walked to the patient's bed, carefully inquired about the symptoms, and reviewed the patient's medical records and recent laboratory reports. Suddenly, his gaze was fixed on a line of numbers - creatine kinase levels exceeded the standard by more than 4 times!
- "Stop statins immediately!" Professor Wang decisively ordered.
- The interns looked at each other, their hearts full of doubts. Aren't statins a common treatment for hyperlipidemia? Why do you have to stop all of a sudden?
- Professor Wang saw their confusion and explained: "This patient has statin intolerance. While statins are effective in lowering blood lipids, they are not suitable for everyone. Some patients will experience adverse reactions such as muscle pain and fatigue after taking it, which may even lead to more serious consequences. ”
- After a pause, he continued: "For patients who are statin intolerant, we need to adjust the treatment regimen in time. You may try switching to other types of lipid-lowering medications or taking non-pharmacological treatments, such as lifestyle changes and dietary modifications. In short, it is necessary to develop an individualized treatment plan according to the specific situation of the patient. ”
Statin intolerance, where is the way to lower lipids?
In the hospital ward, Professor Wang's decisive decision made every doctor present deeply realize the complexity of medicine and the importance of individual differences. Statins, as the "star drug" of lipid-lowering therapy, play a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, as Professor Wang points out, it is not for everyone. So, how do we deal with statin-intolerant patients?
1. The "double-edged edge" of statins
Statins are effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood by inhibiting the synthase enzyme of cholesterol in the liver, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. However, in addition to their significant lipid-lowering effects, statins may also cause a series of adverse reactions, such as muscle pain, fatigue, and abnormal liver function. These symptoms are particularly pronounced in some patients, seriously affecting their quality of life.
2. Statin intolerance, how to identify?
Statin intolerance is not an uncommon phenomenon. Patients with significant muscle pain, fatigue, or elevated creatine kinase levels after taking statins should be highly alert for the possibility of statin intolerance. At this time, the doctor needs to adjust the treatment plan in time to avoid the condition from worsening.
3. How to adjust the lipid-lowering strategy for statin intolerance?
Switching to other lipid-lowering drugs: For statin-intolerant patients, switching to other types of lipid-lowering drugs, such as fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, etc., may be considered. These drugs are also effective in lowering blood lipids, but may have fewer adverse effects.
Non-pharmacological treatment: In addition to medication, lifestyle and dietary changes are also effective ways to lower blood lipids. Patients can improve their blood lipid levels by increasing the amount of exercise, reducing the intake of high-fat foods, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol. In addition, maintaining a good mindset and getting enough sleep can also be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Individualized care: Each patient's physical condition and genetic background are unique. Therefore, when formulating a treatment plan, doctors should fully consider the individual differences of patients and formulate personalized lipid reduction strategies. This not only improves the effectiveness of treatment, but also reduces the occurrence of adverse effects.
4. Precautions for the use of statins
Regular monitoring: During statin administration, patients should have regular monitoring of lipids, liver function, and creatine kinase. This helps to detect potential adverse reactions in a timely manner and to take appropriate measures.
Take your medication as prescribed: Patients should take statins exactly as recommended and prescribed by their doctor. Do not adjust the dose or stop the drug on your own, so as not to affect the effect of treatment.
Focus on drug interactions: Some medications, when used with statins, may interact with each other, resulting in increased or diminished efficacy. Therefore, during the medication process, the patient should inform the doctor about other drugs that are being used, so that the doctor can make reasonable medication adjustments.