New research confirms at least one common statin may be most effective when taken at night as opposed to the morning. Statins are drugs prescribed to
New research confirms at least one common statin may be most effective when taken at night as opposed to the morning. Statins are drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol.
Researchers from England studied 83 patients who were taking either 10 milligrams or 20 milligrams of simvastatin, otherwise known as Zocor. They were taking the drug for primary or secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke , or peripheral vascular disease. Patients were randomized to take the drug in the mornings or in the evenings. Fifty-seven patients completed the trial. Most manufacturers of statins recommend the drugs be taken at night, but doubt has been cast on whether that is the best time.Researchers found when patients switched from taking their nighttime pill to the morning, there were significant increases in total cholesterol and LDL, or the bad, cholesterol.
Researchers of the study say, "Simvastatin is probably best taken at night because concentrations of total cholesterol and of low density lipoprotein are significantly greater when it is taken in the morning.
