Order Prescription For Statins - Superdrug™ Online Doctor Ireland

How our service works

Complete a short questionnaire about your health.
Order and pay for your prescription.
A Superdrug Online Doctor will check the treatment is appropriate for you.
Get your paper prescription delivered to your door or get your prescription sent digitally to your nearest local pharmacy for collection within 2-6 hours from approval.

Orders received before 4pm will be processed the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be processed the next working day.
Once your prescription has been dispatched, you will receive it within 3-5 working days.

We will send you a prescription for the same medication that you already take, so you shouldn't experience any new side effects.

Alternative treatments

Healthy living including exercising, losing weight and reducing alcohol consumption can all help to reduce your cholesterol.

If you're not sure that your current medicines are working to your satisfaction, we would recommend you review what you take with your GP.

More information

What are Statins?

Statins are a type of medication that can be used to lower your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a fatty material that is made in the liver. The body uses it for essential cell functions. There are two types of cholesterol known as good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. If you get too much bad cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, like a type of hard plaque. For this reason, cholesterol is a primary cause of heart disease and stroke.

Statins come in different types. For example, atorvastatin and simvastatin are popular types. Rosuvastatin is another type that is used for people who have a history of high cholesterol in their family.

Taking Statins

You will normally take one tablet per day when taking statins to treat high cholesterol. Your GP will advise you on how and how often to take your medication when you are first prescribed your treatment. It is usually recommended to take the daily tablet in the evening before going to bed.

In addition to taking a statin, you need to follow a balanced and healthy diet. Your GP will advise you on how to reduce your intake of saturated fats and increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids, which have been found to have a positive effect on your blood fat levels. Many patients who are treated for high cholesterol levels need to take statins permanently to prevent cardiovascular problems.

Statin Side Effects

Statins can cause side effects. If you suffer any side effects while taking statins, consult your GP. Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether it is possible to reduce the side effects by adjusting your dosage or switching to a different type of statin or high cholesterol medication.

Common Statin Side Effects

muscle pain, weakness or tiredness
nausea
sore throat
nosebleeds
nasal congestion or runny nose
headache
digestive problems such as diarrhoea, wind, constipation or indigestion
increased level of sugar in your blood
increased risk of diabetes

Always read to patient leaflet supplied with your statin to ensure you are aware of all possible side effects and risks associated with your medication.

Muscle pain

Muscle pain is a common side effect caused by statins. It is important that you contact your doctor immediately if you experience unusual muscle pain, as it can sometimes indicate a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is dangerous when left untreated. If you suffer from muscle pain caused by a statin, your GP can give you advice on how to minimise the discomfort.

Drug Interactions

Statins are known to interact with certain types of medication. Your prescribing GP will take this into account when prescribing your medication. Make sure you mention all medicines you are taking to your GP when discussing taking a statin.

Statins interact with the following medications:

certain antibiotics and antifungal medicines
certain HIV medications
the blood thinning drug Warfarin
certain immunosuppressant drugs such as ciclosporin
the endometriosis medicine danazol
certain calcium channel blockers (used to treat cardiovascular problems)
amiodarone, a medication prescribed to patients with an irregular heartbeat
fibrates (which are also used to reduce your blood levels of cholesterol

There is no known interaction between statins and alcohol.

Statins can interact with grapefruit juice, which can lead to higher levels of the medication in your blood. You need to avoid consuming large amounts of grapefruit juice or you might need to avoid it entirely. Consult the patient leaflet of the specific statin you are taking for further advice or ask your doctor.

Lipitor versus Generic Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a type of statin. It reduces the liver’s production of cholesterol. It is produced without a brand name as a generic medicine. The patent (a type of intellectual property) for atorvastatin ran out in 2012, which means it is now very cheap to buy. Because atorvastatin is now so cheap, the NHS recommended that their GPs should switch their patients from other types of statin, such as simvastatin, to atorvastatin.

Lipitor is a branded version of the atorvastatin. In Lipitor and generic atorvastatin, the active ingredient is the same. Lipitor is just more expensive.

Use our online assessment to order. A Superdrug Online Doctor will complete your prescription for collection at your local pharmacy.

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