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Have High Cholesterol And Triglycerides. On Pravastatin And Tricor 143? Also Taking Atenolol And Hytrin. Side Effects?

Posted on Sun, 29 Sep 2013

Question: Yes, I am a nurse, 40 yrs old..ex-ballplayer, 6'1'' 195lbs, with high cholesterol and triglycerides..MD has me on Pravastatin 20mg (wants to increase in to 40mg) and Tricor 143?mg..the side effects are killing me..I am tired all the time, nauseous, etc..I NEVER used to get sick, now it hits me hard 2-3 days every month or 2..I've started breaking the statin in half and taking the tricor every other day and I feel much better..then, I saw where I should take Tricor with food and did so for 3 days and Wham! sick as a dog again..I'm also on lisinopril/hctz 20/12.5mg in am, atenolol 20mg approx 2pm and hytrin 2mg at night..have begun cutting slightly back on those as well..the side effects for ALL 5! list my symptoms..thank you

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Try changing the class of the drug...

Detailed Answer:
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

One thing at a time!
It is rather unfortunate, to have side effects / but drugs are often necessary in most instances...
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Try stopping the statin
Keep Fibrate (Tricor) – it is the combination with statin that is most likely responsible for the efects... Fibrates are useful for Triglyceride and Cholesterol, especially the former...

Then, you can add 10 mg of Ezetimibe (Zetia) for cholesterol..

Later, if needed, you may add bile acid sequestrant like colestyramine (Questran), for cholesterol

Of course, life style changes – diet, exercise, weight reduction, stopping alcohol and tobacco – form the foudation... A good dietician will be of great help
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You can step up lisiopril to 40 mg...
And hold Hytrin for the time being..
Keep HCTZ at same level – check the electrolytes
Atenolol is usually 25 mg (your note says 20?)

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)

Ok, thank you for the suggestions. I will print out the response and try to eventually, slowly make a change. Yes, the atenolol is 25 mg.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rest assured - all will be welll

Detailed Answer:

It is a question of time
Need to be tailored to the individual
You will be well

All the best
Regards

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar