Is the treatment worse than the disease?

All the following drugs were either administered or recommended following the ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) commonly known as a 'heart attack',  and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - formerly known as angioplasty with stent (PCI) to Left Coronary Artery (LCA)

All information as to the chemicals and their adverse effects is taken from official sources. No opinions are added by the author.

dr.b.e.n__t.a.p.p.e.r

    " Medicine can be life-saving in an emergency situation, but it has no place in a wellness and prevention paradigm. Allopathic doctors tell me all the time that I shouldn’t be speaking on the topic of inn-o-c-u-l-@-tions, but I beg to differ. Because needles and big Pharma have no place in a wellness and prevention model, and that is the model I work in. I am a Doctor of prevention, a Doctor of cause, and a WELLNESS physician protecting the wellness model. The body is meant to heal and self-regulate. The body is not deficient of anything that comes in a needle or pill. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Treat the temple well, and you can be well!"

Ondansetron  (4 mg given on admission)

Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Ondansetron is in a class of medications called serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting.

Ondansetron may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache
constipation
weakness
tiredness
chills
drowsiness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

blurred vision or vision loss
rash
hives
itching
swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
hoarseness
difficulty breathing or swallowing
chest pain
shortness of breath
dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
agitation
hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
fever
excessive sweating
confusion
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
loss of coordination
stiff or twitching muscles
seizures
coma (loss of consciousness)


Ticagrelor (90 mg tablet twice a day)

Ticagrelor is an antiplatelet medicine. It makes your blood flow through your veins more easily. This means your blood will be less likely to make a dangerous blood clot.

Taking ticagrelor can help prevent blood clots if you have an increased risk of having them.

Ticagrelor


Ticagrelor is an antiplatelet medicine. It makes your blood flow through your veins more easily. This means your blood will be less likely to make a dangerous blood clot.

Taking ticagrelor can help prevent blood clots if you have an increased risk of having them.

The most common side effects of ticagrelor are getting out of breath and bleeding more easily than normal. You may have nosebleeds, heavier periods, bleeding gums and bruising.
Side effects


Like all medicines, ticagrelor can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

bleeding more easily than normal – nosebleeds, bruising or bleeding that takes longer to stop
unexpected shortness of breath while resting – this can sometimes happen in the first few weeks of taking ticagrelor and is usually mild
pain and swelling in your joints – these can be signs of gout (this is because ticagrelor can lead to high levels of uric acid in your blood)
headaches
dizziness
feeling sick or indigestion
diarrhoea
constipation
mild rash

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Tell a doctor as soon as possible if you are coughing up blood, or there's blood in your pee, poo or vomit. This needs to be checked out as these are signs of internal bleeding.

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

bleeding more easily than normal – nosebleeds, bruising or bleeding that takes longer to stop

unexpected shortness of breath while resting – this can sometimes happen in the first few weeks of taking ticagrelor and is usually mild
pain and swelling in your joints – these can be signs of gout (this is because ticagrelor can lead to high levels of uric acid in your blood)
headaches
dizziness
feeling sick or indigestion
diarrhoea
constipation
mild rash

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Tell a doctor as soon as possible if you are coughing up blood, or there's blood in your pee, poo or vomit. This needs to be checked out as these are signs of internal bleeding.

Morphine sulphate 10 mg/ml solution for injection 

(Initially and during procedure)

Morphine is used for the symptomatic relief of severe pain; relief of dyspnoea of left ventricular failure and pulmonary oedema of cardiogenic origin; pre-operative use in adults.

Morphine may cause the following adverse events:

Nervous system disorders:

Very common:

Drowsiness, hyperhidrosis.

Common:

Convulsion, headache, increased intracranial pressure, myoclonus; opioid-induced hyperalgesia (or hyperaesthesia) (see section 4.4), vertigo.

Not known:

Allodynia (see section 4.4), coma.

Very common:

Confused state, hallucinations, physical and psychological dependence.

Common:

Decreased libido, mood swings, restlessness.

Common:

Blurred vision, miosis, nystagmus.

Very common:

Respiratory depression.

Common:

Bronchospasm, pulmonary oedema, which can lead to death.

Not known:

Respiratory failure, which also can lead to death.

Common:

Bradycardia, circulatory failure, tachycardia.

Uncommon:

Palpitations.

Common:

Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension.

Very common:

 
Constipation, nausea, vomiting.

Common:

Dry mouth, paralytic ileus.

Not known:

 

Intestinal functional disorder, narcotic bowel syndrome.

Hepatobiliary disorders:

Common:

Biliary spasm.

Uncommon:

Hepatic enzyme increase.

Not known:

Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi.

Reproductive system and breast disorders:

Common:

Erectile dysfunction.

Renal and urinary disorders:

Common:

Urinary retention.

Uncommon:

Urethral spasm.

Not known:

Renal failure.

Immune system disorders:

Uncommon:

Anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity.

Not known:

Anaphylactoid reactions

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders:

Not known:

Muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Very common:

Pruritus.

Common:

Angioedema, contact dermatitis, rash, urticaria.



Aspirin 75 mg Tablets

(To be taken once a day)


Aspirin has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. It is indicated for:

1) The relief of headache, toothache, migraine, neuralgia, sore throat, dysmenorrhoea.

2) Thego, fibrositis, muscular aches and pains.

3) It also has an antithrombotic action, mediated through inhibition of platelet activation,  symptomatic relief of influenza, feverishness, rheumatic pains, sciatica, which has been shown to be useful in secondary prophylaxis following myocardial infarction, and in patients with unstable angina and cerebral transient ischaemic attacks.

Bronchospasm, asthma attacks.

Reproductive system and mammary disorders

Rare: Menorrhagia

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common:

Dyspepsia.

Rare:

Severe gastrointestinal haemorrhage, nausea, vomiting.

Not known:

Gastric or duodenal ulcers and perforation which can occasionally be major (may develop bloody or black tarry stools, severe stomach pain and vomiting blood), gastrointestinal irritation (mild stomach pain), erosions, heartburn, Fatalities have occurred.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Not known:

Hepatic insufficiency, hepatitis (particularly in patients with SLE or connective tissue disease)Common:

Increased bleeding tendencies.

Rare:

Thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia.

Not known:

Cases of bleeding with prolonged bleeding time such as epistaxis, gingival bleeding. Symptoms may persist for a period of 4–8 days after acetylsalicylic acid discontinuation. As a result there may be an increased risk of bleeding during surgical procedures.

Existing (haematemesis, melaena) or occult gastrointestinal bleeding, which may lead to iron deficiency anaemia (more common at higher doses).

anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, hypoprothrombinaemia, pancytopenia, occult blood loss, elevated transaminase levels

Immune system disorders

Rare:

Hypersensitivity reactions, angio-oedema, allergic oedema, anaphylactic reactions including shock.

Metabolism and digestive system disorders

Not known:

Hyperuricemia.

Nervous system disorders

Rare:

Intracranial haemorrhage

Not known:

Headache, vertigo.

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Not known:

Reduced hearing ability; tinnitus.

Vascular disorders

Rare:

Haemorrhagic vasculitis.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon:

Rhinitis, dyspnoea.

Rare:


Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon:

Urticaria.

Rare:

Steven-Johnsons syndrome, Lyells syndrome, purpura, erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme.

Renal and urinary tract disorders

Not known: Impaired renal function

Body as a whole – general disorders

Not known:

Salicylism – (mild chronic salicylate intoxication may occur after repeated administration of large doses, symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache and mental confusion, and may be controlled by reducing the dose)





Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)

(Two doses given - one on admission, one in ambulance) To be taken as required to mitigate angina pains)


Glyceryl trinitrate, or GTN, is a type of medicine called a nitrate. It is used to treat angina (chest pain).

It can help stop chest pain if an angina attack has already started. It can also help to prevent them from starting.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people, but some are less likely if you're using skin patches.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or last more than a few days:headaches (very common)
feeling dizzy
feeling weak, tired or sleepy
feeling sick (nausea)
red face (flushing)
Serious side effects

Serious side effects after taking GTN are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.



Tirofiban 50 micrograms/ml solution for infusion

(No information supplied other than it was used during PCI procedure and recommended daily during hospital stay but declined)

Tirofiban is an intravenously administered nonpeptide glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist which specifically inhibits fibrinogen-dependent platelet aggregation and prolongs bleeding times in patients with acute coronary syndromes. 

Tirofiban is indicated for the prevention of early myocardial infarction in adult patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation (NSTE-ACS)with the last episode of chest pain occurring within 12 hours and with ECG changes and/or elevated cardiac enzymes.

Patients most likely to benefit from tirofiban treatment are those at high risk of developing myocardial infarction within the first 3-4 days after onset of acute angina symptoms including for instance those that are likely to undergo an early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Tirofiban is also indicated for the reduction of major cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) intended for primary PCI (see section 4.2 and 5.1).

Tirofiban is intended for use with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and unfractionated heparin.

Undesirable effects in clinical studies and from post-marketing experience.


System Organ Class

Very common

Common

Uncommon

Not known


Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Acute and/or severe (<20,000/mm3) decreases in platelet counts

Immune System Disorders

Severe allergic reactions including anaphylactic reactions.

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Intracranial bleeding, spinal epidural haematoma

Cardiac disorders

Hemopericardium

Vascular disorders

Haematoma

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Haemoptysis, epistaxis

Pulmonary (alveolar) haemorrhage

Gastrointestinal disorders

Nausea

Oral haemorrhage gingival haemorrhage

GI haemorrhage, haematemesis

Retroperitoneal bleeding

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Ecchymosis

Renal and urinary disorders

Haematuria

General disorders and administration site conditions

Fever

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Post-operative haemorrhage*

Vessel puncture site haemorrhage

Investigations

Occult blood in stool or urine

Decreases in haematocrit and haemoglobin, platelet counts <90,000/mm3

Platelet counts <50,000/ mm3





Bisoprolol Fumarate 3.75 mg Film-coated Tablets
(To be taken once a day)


Treatment of stable chronic heart failure with reduced systolic left ventricular function in addition to ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, and optionally cardiac glycosides (for additional information see section 5.1).


Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications that help relax the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in the body from producing angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels.

Undesirable effects


The following definitions apply to the frequency terminology used hereafter:

Very common (≥ 1/10), Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000), Very rare (< 1/10,000), Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Psychiatric disorders

Uncommon: sleep disorders, depression

Rare: nightmares, hallucinations

Nervous system disorders

Common: dizziness, headache

Rare: syncope

Eye disorders

Rare: reduced tear flow (to be considered if the patient uses lenses)

Very rare: conjunctivitis

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Rare: hearing disorders

Cardiac disorders

Very common: bradycardia in patients with chronic heart failure

Common: worsening of pre-existing heart failure in patients with chronic heart failure

Uncommon: AV-conduction disturbances

Vascular disorders

Common: feeling of coldness or numbness in the extremities, hypotension (especially in patients with heart failure)

Uncommon: orthostatic hypotension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: bronchospasm in patients with bronchial asthma or a history of obstructive airways disease

Rare: allergic rhinitis

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common: gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation

Hepatobiliary disorders

Rare: hepatitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare: hypersensitivity reactions such as itching, flush, rash and angioedema

Very rare: beta-blocking agents may provoke or worsen psoriasis or induce psoriasis-like rash, alopecia

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Uncommon: muscular weakness, muscle cramps

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Rare: erectile dysfunction

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common: asthenia, fatigue

Investigations

Rare: increased triglycerides, increased liver enzymes (ALAT, ASAT)



Eplerenone 25mg film-coated tablets
(To be taken once per day)


Eplerenone is indicated:

• in addition to standard therapy including beta-blockers, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity in stable patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF ≤ 40 %) and clinical evidence of heart failure after recent myocardial infarction (MI).

• in addition to standard optimal therapy, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in adult patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II (chronic) heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF ≤30%) (see section 5.1).

The risk of hyperkalaemia may increase when eplerenone is used in combination with an ACE inhibitor and/or an ARB. The combination of an ACE inhibitor and an ARB with eplerenone should not be used

Hyperkalaemia is the medical term for higher than normal potassium levels in the blood. Hyperkalemia occurs when your body can't filter out extra potassium that it doesn't need. Extra potassium interferes with your nerve and muscle cells. This can lead to complications in your heart and other areas of your body. The symptoms of high potassium may be unnoticeable to you.

Undesirable effects


In two studies (EPHESUS and Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure [EMPHASIS-HF]), the overall incidence of adverse events reported with eplerenone was similar to placebo.

Adverse events reported below are those with suspected relationship to treatment and in excess of placebo or are serious and significantly in excess of placebo, or have been observed during post marketing surveillance. Adverse events are listed by body system and absolute frequency. Frequencies are defined as:

Very common (≥ 1/10) Common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10) Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100) Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000) Very rare (<1/10,000)

Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Table 2: ADR Frequency in Eplerenone Placebo Controlled Studies


Uncommon

pyelonephritis, infection, pharyngitis

Blood and lymphatic system disorders


Uncommon

eosinophilia


Endocrine disorders


Uncommon

hypothyroidism


Metabolism and nutrition disorders


Common

hyperkalaemia (see sections 4.3 and 4.4)

hypercholesterolaemia


Uncommon

hyponatraemia, dehydration, hypertriglyceridaemia


Psychiatric disorders


Common

Insomnia


Nervous system disorders


Common

dizziness, syncope, headache


Uncommon

hypoaesthesia (Numbness or reduced sense of touch or sensation, or a partial loss of sensitivity to sensory stimuli.)


Cardiac disorders


Common

left ventricular failure, atrial fibrillation


Uncommon

tachycardia


Vascular disorders


Common

hypotension


Uncommon

arterial thrombosis limb, orthostatic hypotension


Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders


Common

Cough


Gastrointestinal disorders


Common

diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, vomiting


Uncommon

flatulence


Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders


Common

rash, pruritus


Uncommon

Hyperhidrosis, angioedema


Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders


Common

muscle spasms, back pain


Uncommon

musculoskeletal pain


Renal and urinary disorders


Common

renal impairment (see sections 4.4 and 4.5)


Hepatobiliary disorders


Uncommon

cholecystitis


Reproductive system and breast disorders


Uncommon

gynaecomastia


General disorders and administration site conditions


Common

asthenia


Uncommon

malaise


Investigations


Common

blood urea increased, blood creatinine increased


Uncommon

epidermal growth factor receptor decreased, blood glucose increased


In EPHESUS, there were numerically more cases of stroke in the very elderly group (> 75 years old). There was however no statistical significant difference between the occurrence of stroke in the eplerenone (30) vs. placebo (22) groups. In EMPHASIS- HF, the number of cases of stroke in the very elderly (≥ 75 years old) was 9 in the eplerenone group and 8 in the placebo group.

Lansoprazole 30 mg
(To be taken once per day)

Side-effects

Common or very common

Abdominal pain; constipation; diarrhoea; dizziness; dry mouth; gastrointestinal disorders; headache; insomnia; nausea; skin reactions; vomiting
Uncommon

Arthralgia; bone fractures; confusion; depression; drowsiness; leucopenia; malaise; myalgia; paraesthesia; peripheral oedema; thrombocytopenia; vertigo; vision disorders

Rare or very rare

Agranulocytosis; alopecia; gynaecomastia; hallucination; hepatic disorders; hyperhidrosis; hyponatraemia; nephritis tubulointerstitial; pancytopenia; photosensitivity reaction; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); stomatitis; taste altered

Frequency not known

Hypomagnesaemia (more common after 1 year of treatment, but sometimes after 3 months of treatment); subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Side-effects  For lansoprazole 30 mg

???? Lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It's used for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal-reflux-disease (GORD). Lansoprazole is also taken to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

Sometimes, lansoprazole is taken for a rare condition caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Common or very common

Dry throat; fatigue
Uncommon

Eosinophilia; oedema
Rare or very rare

Anaemia; angioedema; appetite decreased; erectile dysfunction; fever; glossitis; oesophageal candidiasis; pancreatitis; restlessness; tremor



Paracetamol 500mg Tablets
(To be taken four times a day for pain relief)



WHAT PARACETAMOL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

The name of your medicine is Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (called paracetamol throughout this leaflet). This medicine contains paracetamol. It belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics (painkillers) and is used to treat pain (including headache, toothache, back and period pain) and cold or flu symptoms.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects may happen with this medicine:


Stop taking paracetamol and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if: 

You get swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing. 

You could also notice an itchy, lumpy rash (hives) or nettle rash (urticaria). This may mean you are having an allergic reaction to paracetamol.

You get serious skin reactions. Very rare cases have been reported.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days:

You get infections or bruise more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood problem (such as agranulocytosis, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia). This side effect has only happened in a few people taking paracetamol.




Ramipril 1.25mg Tablets


The name of your medicine is Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg or 10mg Tablets (called ramipril throughout this leaflet). It belongs to a group of medicines called ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors).

Ramipril works by: Decreasing your body’s production of substances that could raise your blood pressure
Making your blood vessels relax and widen
Making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Ramipril can be used: 

To treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
To reduce the risk of you having a heart attack or stroke
To reduce the risk or delay the worsening of kidney problems (whether or not you have diabetes)
To treat your heart when it cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body (heart failure)
As treatment following heart attack (myocardial infarction) complicated with heart failure.


Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking ramipril and see a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following serious side effects - you may need urgent medical treatment:

Swelling of the face, lips or throat which make it difficult to swallow or breathe, as well as itching and rashes. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction to ramipril tablets.
Severe skin reactions including rash, ulcers in your mouth, worsening of a pre-existing skin disease, reddening, blistering or detachment of skin (such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis or erythema multiform).

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

Faster heart rate, uneven or forceful heartbeat (palpitations), chest pain, tightness in your chest or more serious problems including heart attack and stroke

Shortness of breath or a cough. These could be signs of lung problems

Bruising more easily, bleeding for longer than normal, any sign of bleeding (e.g. bleeding from the gums), purple spots, blotching on the skin or getting infections more easily than usual, sore throat and fever, feeling tired, faint, dizzy or having pale skin. These can be signs of blood or bone marrow problems

Severe stomach pain which may reach through to your back. This could be a sign of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

Fever, chills, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, feeling sick, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice). These can be signs of liver problems such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or liver damage.

Other side effects include:

Tell your doctor if any of the following gets serious or lasts longer than a few days.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

Headache or feeling tired
Feeling dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you start taking ramipril or start taking a higher dose
Fainting, hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure), especially when you stand or sit up quickly
Dry tickly cough, inflammation of your sinuses (sinusitis) or bronchitis, shortness of breath
Stomach or gut pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, feeling or being sick
Skin rash with or without raised area
Chest pain
Cramps or pain in your muscles
Blood tests showing more potassium than usual in your blood.


Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

Balance problems (vertigo)
Itching and unusual skin sensations such as numbness, tingling, pricking, burning or creeping on your skin (paraesthesia)
Loss or change in the way things taste
Sleep problems
Feeling depressed, anxious, more nervous than usual or restless
Blocked nose, difficulty breathing or worsening of asthma
A swelling in your gut called “intestinal angioedema” presenting with symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea
Heartburn, constipation or dry mouth
Passing more water (urine) than usual over the day
Sweating more than usual
Loss or decrease of appetite (anorexia)
Increased or irregular heartbeat
Swollen arms and legs. This may be a sign of your body holding onto more water than usual
Flushing
Blurred vision
Pain in your joints
Fever
Sexual inability in men, reduced sexual desire in men or women
An increased number of certain white blood cells (eosinophilia) found during a blood test
Blood tests showing changes in the way your liver, pancreas or kidneys are working.


Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

Feeling shaky or confused
Red and swollen tongue
Severe flaking or peeling of the skin, itchy, lumpy rash
Nail problems (e.g. loosening or separation of a nail from its bed)
Skin rash or bruising
Blotches on your skin and cold extremities
Red, itchy, swollen or watery eyes
Disturbed hearing and ringing in your ears
Feeling weak
Blood tests showing a decrease in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets or in the amount of haemoglobin.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

Being more sensitive to the sun than usual.

Other side effects reported:

Tell your doctor if any of the following gets serious or lasts longer than a few days.

Difficulty concentrating
Swollen mouth
Blood tests showing too few blood cells in your blood
Blood tests showing less sodium than usual in your blood
Concentrated urine (dark in colour), feel or are sick, have muscle cramps, confusion and fits which may be due to inappropriate ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) secretion. If you have these symptoms contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Fingers and toes changing colour when you are cold and then tingling or feeling painful when you warm up (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
Breast enlargement in men
Slowed or impaired reactions
Burning sensation
Change in the way things smell
Hair loss.



Statins (In addition these were recommended/promoted to be ingested on a daily basis during hospital stay and thereafter but were declined)

Common side effects

headache
dizziness
feeling sick
feeling unusually tired or physically weak
digestive system problems, such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion or farting
muscle pain
sleep problems
low blood platelet count
Uncommon side effects


Uncommon side effects of statins include:

being sick
memory problems
hair loss
pins and needles
inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), which can cause flu-like symptoms
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can cause stomach pain
skin problems, such as acne or an itchy red rash
sexual problems, such as loss of libido (reduced sex drive) or erectile dysfunction


Rare side effects of statins include:

muscle weakness (myopathy)
loss of sensation or tingling in the nerve endings of the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
tendon problems (tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones)
Muscle effects


Statins can occasionally cause muscle inflammation (swelling) and damage. Speak to your doctor if you have muscle pain, tenderness or weakness that cannot be explained – for example, pain that is not caused by physical work

Your doctor may carry out a blood test to measure a substance in your blood called creatine kinase (CK), which is released into the blood when your muscles are inflamed or damaged.

If the CK in your blood is more than 5 times the normal level, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the statin. Regular exercise can sometimes lead to a rise in CK, so tell your doctor if you've been exercising a lot.

Once your CK level has returned to normal, your doctor may suggest you start taking the statin again, but at a lower dose.