How long does it take atorvastatin to lower cholesterol

Objective: In this study, we aimed at comparing the effects of standard once daily 20 mg atorvastatin treatment with that of atorvastatin 20 mg administered every other day on serum lipids and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with serum total cholesterol levels of above 200 mg/dl and low density lipoprotein (LDL)--cholesterol levels of above 130 mg/dl were included in this prospective, randomized study. The patients were randomized into daily treatment of 20 mg atorvastatin (standard treatment) and 20 mg atorvastatin every other day (every other day treatment) groups. Before the treatment and at each visit, serum lipids and hs-CRP levels of all the patients were measured. Statistical analyses were performed Chi-square, unpaired t and two-way repeated measurements ANOVA tests.

Results: In the every other day treatment group, there was a 36.1% reduction in LDL-cholesterol levels by the end of first month (p<0.01). At the end of three months there was further decrease of 10.2% in LDL-cholesterol levels when compared to 1 month levels (p>0.05). The LDL cholesterol levels of the group receiving 20 mg atorvastatin every day was reduced by %41 by the end of 1 month (p<0.01). At the end of three months, the difference between the changes in the all lipid parameters of the two groups was not found to be of statistical significance. In the group receiving the medication every other day, there was a 21% decrease in hs-CRP levels compared to the basal measurements at the end of first month (p<0.05). In the group, receiving the medication every day the decrease in hs-CRP levels at the end of one month was more striking (37%, p<0.05). However, the effects of both treatment arms on hs-CRP levels, did not differ significantly (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Alternate-day dosing of atorvastatin causes a significant lipid-lowering and antiinflammatory effects similar to that of daily administration and yet may provide some cost savings.

How long does it take to lower cholesterol?

It often depends on several variables, including how aggressive your treatment is, your genetic tendencies (for example, some people’s cholesterol levels shoot down quickly while others’ inch down), and how high your cholesterol levels are to begin with.

But one thing is for sure: The higher the LDL and non-HDL cholesterol concentration in your blood, the more plaque build-up you’re likely to have in your arteries, and the more inflamed – and damaged – your artery walls become, leading to progressive vessel blockage and weakness.

That’s why it’s so critical to lower your LDL and non-HDL cholesterol as quickly and effectively as possible.

How long does it take atorvastatin to lower cholesterol
How long does it take to lower cholesterol with diet and exercise guidelines like the Pritikin Program? For most people, levels drop dramatically within three weeks.
How long does it take atorvastatin to lower cholesterol
How long does it take to lower cholesterol with medication? It depends on the dosage. The higher the dosage, the greater the reductions, but higher dosages often bring greater risk of side effects.

Statins do not eliminate the above artery killers, but healthy living plans like the Pritikin Program can. When you exercise daily and eat well – an abundance of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and very little salt, fat, sugar, and refined (“white”) carbohydrates – the following benefits happen, demonstrated in more than 100 peer-reviewed studies on the Pritikin Program:

  • Decreased LDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels, and
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Decreased blood glucose (sugar) and insulin levels
  • Loss of excess body fat
  • Decreased levels of inflammatory factors
  • Decreased fasting and postprandial (after meal) triglyceride levels, generally associated with decreased VLDL and chylomicrons

A healthy diet and lifestyle can also enhance the benefits of statin drugs. Research, for instance, by scientists at UCLA found that combining the Pritikin Program with statin drugs was far more effective than statins alone for lowering LDL cholesterol. The scientists followed 93 men and women who had decided to come to the Pritikin Longevity Center after already being on statins for several months and lowering their cholesterol on average 20%. After three weeks at the Center, these people lowered their cholesterol an additional 19%.4

What role does genetics play in determining cholesterol levels?

In addition to environmental factors like diet and drugs, inherited genetic factors influence an individual’s cholesterol level and how that level responds to various cholesterol-lowering strategies.

However, environmental influences are probably significantly more important. The Tarahumara Indians of northwestern Mexico, for example, traditionally have low cholesterol levels; you could say “it’s in their genes.” But a study by scientists at Oregon Health Sciences University found that the Tarahumaras’ cholesterol levels rose sharply, and in just a few weeks, when they were directed by the researchers to switch from their traditional fiber-rich, plant-based diet to a Western-style diet full of cheese, butter, oils, egg yolks, white flour, soft drinks, and sugar.5

Fortunately, the converse is also true. Research found that within three weeks, among 4,587 people who came to the Pritikin Longevity Center, LDL cholesterol fell on average 23%. Non-HDL dropped 24%.6 Children respond well, too. In one study,7 the LDL cholesterol levels of American kids plummeted 25% after two weeks at Pritikin. In another study,8 also following children at Pritikin, LDL fell 27%, and again, in two weeks. All these studies suggest that lifestyle is more important than genetics in determining cholesterol levels in most individuals.

Data on older U.S. women are intriguing, too. Though they often experience a 30 to 40 point rise in their LDL cholesterol in their menopausal and postmenopausal years, research has found that the opposite happens at the Pritikin Longevity Center; women reduce their cholesterol levels within two to three weeks of starting the Pritikin Program.9

How long does it take atorvastatin to lower cholesterol
How long does it take to lower cholesterol without medication? Lifestyle changes alone, like the Pritikin Program, can yield excellent results within just three weeks.

Summing up:

How long does it take to lower cholesterol? Often, just a matter of weeks.

If your doctor recommends statins or other cholesterol-lowering medications, but all means take them. But don’t stop there, give yourself the best chance of living heart-attack-free by adopting a healthy lifestyle like Pritikin. If you can, come to Pritikin for education in everything from fitness to cooking classes. In doing so, you’re not only lowering your cholesterol, you’re helping eliminate virtually all environmental factors that harm your heart.

Sources

1 Archives of Internal Medicine, 1991; 151: 1,389.
2 JAMA, 2005; 294: 2437.
3 Heart.org
4 American Journal of Cardiology, 1997; 79: 1112.
5 New England Journal of Medicine, 1991; 325 (24): 1704.
6 Archives of Internal Medicine, 1991; 151: 1,389.
7 Atheroclerosis, 2007; 191: 98.
8 Metabolism Clinical and Experimental, 2006; 55: 871.
9 Metabolism, 2004; 53: 377.

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How long does it take for atorvastatin to be effective?

After starting a statin, it takes about six weeks for cholesterol levels to stabilise, so most doctors would re-check your cholesterol after about eight weeks.

How long does it take for cholesterol to go down with medication?

You should see major changes in your cholesterol levels within two to four weeks after starting treatment. When you take a statin, you do more than improve your cholesterol levels. They also reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems.

How much will 40 mg of atorvastatin lower cholesterol?

Results. At 3 and 6 month follow up, Atorvastatin 40 mg leads to mean LDL cholesterol reduction of 47.18 ± 20.81 & 50.03 ± 18.06 respectively. While Atorvastatin 80 mg results in LDL reduction as 50.11 ± 15.85 & 52.30 ± 13.72. The comparison between two doses revealed a non-significant difference (p = .

Do statins get rid of existing cholesterol?

Statins help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, in the blood. They draw cholesterol out of plaque and stabilize plaque, Blaha says.