TGA warns against high starting statin doses - www.6minutes.com.au

[Guest guest]

TGA is similar to your FDA in the USA

 

but hey, I still have to tell you that I have NEVER know a doctor here to offer to start me off on a low(er) dose statin because of risks!

 

TGA warns against high starting statin doses

 

 

 

 

by Michael Woodhead

The TGA is warning against using high starting doses of statins because the risk of muscle problems.

In the Australian Adverse Drugs Reactions Bulletin (link)this month the TGA says it is still receiving many reports of adverse reactions such as myalgia, myopathy, myositis, or rhabdomyolysis with statins attributable to inappropriately high starting doses.

It says high doses appear to be an important risk factor for muscle disorders with statins, which accounted for a third of the 5,846 adverse reaction reports involving a statin.

Other factors include old age and concomitant use of drugs that inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes that metabolise statins and thus increase drug levels and the risk of muscle disorders.

It cited an example of a 65 year old woman with hypothyroidism who was was started on simvastatin 80 mg daily and then developed rhabdomyolysis after four months, which required hospital admission.

“Prescribers are reminded that statin treatment should commence with the lowest possible dose which may then be titrated if necessary according to lipid levels, while monitoring for adverse reactions, especially any symptoms of muscle disorders," the TGA says.