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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia, Confusion And Memory Loss

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Posted on Tue, 18 Jul 2017
Question: Mother was switched from Simvastatin 10 mg to Lipitor 40 mg three 1/2 weeks ago. She suffers from cognitive problems due to an aneurism many years ago. Over the last week she has gotten progressively worse with regards to insomnia, confusion, memory loss, overall feeling of being unwell and frequent urination (she is on Lasix and this is increased over what is normal). Yesterday while speaking with her, she started repeating a phrase that made me believe that she may have been suffering from a TGA (Transient global amnesia). Could all of this be related to a reaction to the Lipitor? I personally am statin intolerant and suffer from serious side effects when attempting to take.
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Lipitor shouldn't be the cause.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

There have been some reports in the past of cognitive deterioration in some patients taking statins like Lipitor. However subsequent studies have failed to show any significant cognitive impairment from the use of statins. So your doctor is right in saying that Lipitor is not responsible for this change in her mental state.
I believe other causes should be sought, starting from metabolic issues (through some routine blood tests) to brain lesions such as stroke. A sudden deterioration in cognitive functions such as this, in the absence of other metabolic causes deserves to be investigated through brain imaging.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Insomnia, Confusion And Memory Loss

Brief Answer: Lipitor shouldn't be the cause. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. There have been some reports in the past of cognitive deterioration in some patients taking statins like Lipitor. However subsequent studies have failed to show any significant cognitive impairment from the use of statins. So your doctor is right in saying that Lipitor is not responsible for this change in her mental state. I believe other causes should be sought, starting from metabolic issues (through some routine blood tests) to brain lesions such as stroke. A sudden deterioration in cognitive functions such as this, in the absence of other metabolic causes deserves to be investigated through brain imaging. I remain at your disposal for other questions.