Taking statins at night, also known as evening dosing, has gained significant attention due to emerging research supporting its potential benefits.
Taking statins at night has several benefits because it improves medication absorption and aligns with the body’s natural rhythm of cholesterol production. This leads to better cholesterol reduction and a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Why should you take statins at night?
Statins are a commonly prescribed class of medications that lower cholesterol levels in people at risk for cardiovascular diseases. While statins are generally well-tolerated, one of the most common side effects is muscle pain, ranging from mild discomfort to more severe muscle damage.
Severe muscle damage can result in rhabdomyolysis, a condition where skeletal muscle breaks down, releasing electrolytes into the blood. This can cause muscle pain, weakness, and dark urine.
Studies have shown that taking statins at night can help reduce muscle pain associated with statin use. This is because statin-induced muscle pain may be due to disruption of the body’s natural repair mechanisms that typically occur during sleep.
During sleep, your body undergoes various vital processes, including repairing and regenerating muscle tissue. Statins may interfere with these processes, leading to an increased risk of muscle pain or damage. Therefore, taking statins at night, when the body is naturally engaged in repairing and restoring itself, may reduce the medication’s effect on these processes.
A 2017 review compared the effects of statins in the morning versus at night. The researchers found short-acting statins are more effective when you take them at night, while long-acting statins are just as effective in the morning as at night.
However, the ideal time to take statins may vary from person to person. If you’re taking statins or considering starting them, consider talking with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate dosing schedule based on your needs and response to the medication.
Benefits of taking statins at night
Doctors typically recommend taking statins at night as more cholesterol is combined and formed in the body during this time. Taking statins at night can offer several other benefits, including:
- Healthy circadian rhythm: Cholesterol production in the body follows a daily rhythm, typically peaking in the early morning. Taking statins at night can target this peak, reducing cholesterol more effectively.
- Improved medication compliance: Taking medications before bedtime can help with adherence, as incorporating them into a nighttime routine is often easier.
- Reduced risk of muscle side effects: Muscle pain and weakness can be potential side effects of statins. Taking statins at night may reduce the risk of these side effects, as they overlap with the body’s natural repair and recovery processes during sleep.
- Enhanced LDL lowering: Some studies have suggested that taking statins at night may significantly reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol.
Side effects of taking statins at night
Like any medication, taking statins at night can also lead to side effects, including:
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances: Some people may experience difficulty sleeping when taking statins at night compared to the morning.
- Gastrointestinal upset: Statins can sometimes cause stomach discomfort, nausea, or other gastrointestinal issues. However, the evidence on this specific side effect and its connection to nighttime dosing is limited, and further research is still needed.
- Muscle pain and weakness (myalgia): Statins can lead to muscle-related side effects. While taking statins at night might reduce the risk for some people, it’s not guaranteed.
While some report these side effects, these may only occur in some taking statins at night. The severity and frequency of these side effects can also vary from person to person.
