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What Is Superdrug Online Doctor?
We're a service that helps you order treatments online from UK-registered doctors with free, discreet, to-your-door deliveries.
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Statins and Cholesterol Tests
Order repeat cholesterol-lowering treatments and test kits online
If you’ve been taking cholesterol medications for at least three months and want a convenient way of getting a repeat supply, you can order statins online by completing our online questionnaire. Our doctor will check whether you can continue your treatment and approve appropriate treatment. You can also order home test kits to check if you need treatment, or to check if your treatment is working.
You can choose between a three or six month supply of your current statin. We prescribe all five types of statin including simvastatin, but we don't offer combination cholesterol lowering medications such as Inegy.
Using a home test works in the following steps:
- Place an order and get your kit delivered to your door (delivery is free)
- Collect your sample by following the instructions in the test kit
- Send your samples to our UK-based, accredited partner laboratory (postage is free)
- Once your results are available (in 2 to 3 days), our doctors will review your results
- One of our doctors will contact you, via a secure and confidential message in your patient account, to let you know your results and give you advice and support on what to do next
In some cases, the doctor may need to ask for more information. They may contact you by phone, so make sure your telephone number is up to date in your online account.
Last reviewed: 7/11/2019 by Dr Clair Grainger
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.
| Medication | Pack Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Simvastatin | 3 month 10mg, 20mg or 40mg | £20.00 |
| Simvastatin | 6 month 10mg, 20mg or 40mg | £25.00 |
| Lipitor® | 3 months 10mg | £75.00 |
| Crestor® | 3 months 10mg | £80.00 |
| Lipitor® | 3 months 20mg | £120.00 |
| Pravastatin | 3 months 10mg, 20mg or 40mg | £20.00 |
| Fluvastatin | 3 months 20mg or 40mg | £25.00 |
| Cholesterol Test Kit | 1 test kit | £42.00 |
Dispensing and standard delivery included.
Click & Collect: free (available for next-day collection in Superdrug Pharmacies)
Next Day Delivery: £3.99
How our service works
- Complete a short questionnaire about your health.
- Order and pay for your medicine or test kit.
- Your test kit will be sent to you and a Superdrug Online Doctor will check and approve your treatment request if appropriate.
Important: When you order a generic (non-branded) medication, it may arrive in different packaging or under a different name to what’s pictured or what you expect. This is because we order from a variety of different suppliers to make sure you always have your medication available when you need it. The medication you receive will contain the same active ingredients and work in exactly the same way.
- Orders received before 4pm will be sent out the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be sent out the next working day.
- Your order will be posted to you via your choice of first class or next day delivery.
- This will be contactless delivery. Someone will need to be home to tell the courier that they can sign on your behalf or they won't be able to deliver your parcel.
We will send you the same medication that you already take, so you shouldn't experience any new side effects.
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.
About Statins
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 mainly made in the liver. The body uses it for essential cell functions. There are two types of cholesterol known as good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). 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.
How to test cholesterol levels at home
If you want to check whether you might need cholesterol treatment, or if your cholesterol levels are where they should be, you can order a home cholesterol test kit online.
Anyone over the age of 18 can order one. They involve take a small pin-prick blood sample and then sending that sample to our lab by post. Your results will then be sent to you in 2-3 days through your patient account and a Superdrug online doctor will provide advice on the next steps.
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 but statins are not suitable for patients who regularly consume a large amount of alcohol as this increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis (a condition which leads to the destruction of muscle cells).
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.
To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.
Reviewed by: Dr Clair Grainger in line with the Superdrug Online Editorial Process.
Dr Grainger studied at the University of Edinburgh and worked in hospitals before becoming a GP. She has an interest in respiratory, and sexual and reproductive health.
Last reviewed on: 07/11/19