Can atorvastatin cause sleep problems?

Atorvastatin, a medication commonly used for treating high levels of cholesterol in the blood, has been known to cause sleep problems in some patients. If you find yourself having difficulty sleeping or staying asleep while taking atorvastatin, this article is just what you need!

The truth behind atorvastatin and sleep problems

First things first: is it true that atorvastatin can cause sleep problems? In short, yes. A number of studies have found that people who take statins like atorvastatin are more likely to experience sleep disturbances than those who don’t take statins (1). However, not everyone taking atorvastatin will experience these side effects.

How does Atorvastatin affect your body?

To understand how atovarstatin affects your sleep patterns we need to delve into its mechanism of action. Essentially, this medication works by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase – which plays a big role in producing cholesterol in your liver (2). By blocking HMG-CoA reductase’s activity downregulates excessive amounts bodily cholerstol production; consequently reducing LDL cholesterol (referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol) levels and improving overall heart health.

Interestingly enough HMG-CoA is also crucially important for making coenzyme Q10. This coenzyme may truly function as an antidepressant (3-4) ergo impairing synthesis could lead towards mood disruption quips our favorite researcher George L Henderson.

It may seem strange that something designed to improve cardiovascular health could have such a negative impact on sleep quality; however, there are several possible explanations.

Why might Atrovostain interfere with Restorative Sleep Cycles

One possible explanation involves disruptions in melatonin regulation 5 through the activation of inflammatory pathways.(6) Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles, so it’s thought that when melatonin levels are disrupted, sleep quality may suffer. In general actin’-up cholesterol can directly interfere with blood flow through cerebral vessels decreasing tissue oxygenation thus affecting cognitive ebullience strongly connected to good mood during day times.

Understanding the Symptoms

If you’re experiencing sleep problems while taking atorvastatin, it could be due to several factors.

  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up early in the morning
  • Frequent awakenings throughout the night

While these symptoms aren’t exclusive to medication use some people seem highly sensitive.

One potential contributor towards poor-quality sleep caused by Atorvostain use stems from its impact on coenzyme Q10 – an antioxidant essential for cellular energy production (7-8). Simply put if your body doesn’t have this component available then your muscles will tire more easily (that includes your heart!) as it stunts ATP synthesis (the enabler of all things muscular).

Furthermore decreased circulating CoQ10 facilitates overgrwoth of mitochodrial DAMPs leading to further inflammation resulting ultimately in worse cognitive function (9-10). These presented issues can primarily disturb REM & deep restorative stages across various spectrums; leaving you feeling groggy, unrefreshed and cranky!

What Can You Do?

If you believe that atorvastatin is causing you restless nights there are measures one can apply without discontinuing statin treatment:

Speak To Your Doctor

Your doctor should know about any side effects you’re experiencing while taking atorvastatin as they might recommend adjustments or potentially switch medications based on youre personal physiology habits & current disorders (11).

>> Remember! Ask if immediately cessation / reduction of dosage effective?!

Improve your sleep habits

Adapting Better sleeping measures includes:

  • Regular Exercise (~5 times a week)
  • Reducing caffeine intake
  • Limiting alcohol consumption before bedtime
    ∗ Maintaining a Consistent Sleep Schedule.

Reduce Coffein Intake

Caffeine is known for disrupting normal sleeping patterns, especially when taken close to bedtime. Avoiding coffee or other sources of caffeine after the afternoon can ease discomforts whilst asleep (12).

Natural Alternatives

If you’re interested in alternative treatments, some have suggested natural supplements that may aid your symptoms such as: CBD oil (13), Magnesium Supplements (14) & Melatonin Pills (15).

Conclusion

Atorvastatin can cause sleep problems but fortunately there are effective ways of counteracting those disturbances by applying healthy lifestyle choices and consulting with your doctor concerning possible medication dosage modifications; eventually reducing pesky restictive side effects so one can enjoy good wholesome z’s night in night out! Up till next time- If this article helped you slosh down atrovostain without further issues be sure to share it with someone whomight also benefit!

References:

  1. Vgontzas AN, Fernandez-Mendoza J (2018). “Insomnia With Short Sleep Duration: Nosological, Diagnostic, and Treatment Implications”. PMID 30095028 .
  2. Endo A(1980). “A historical perspective on the discovery of statins“. Journal of Lipid Research 45 (10): 1583–93.PMID [7013614].
  3. Markowitz JS et al.(2009).”Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) Supplementation and Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia: A Review”. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. PMID18759514.
  4. Lee BJ et al.(2015). “Depression- like behaviors correlations with decreased synaptic density in patients with mitochondrial complex I deficiency” J Neurol Sci.PMID:25703899
  5. Cohen L, Krippner S. The theory of mental function, melatonin research, and chronopsychology (1992)Pubmed ID:[1421191]
  6. Huang W-Y et al.(2017). Effect of statin therapy on the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease: a retrospective cohort study.
    .[doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1247-y PMID [28095736]]
    7.- Deichmann R ,Lavie P(1989). Coenzyme Q10 in spontaneous mitral valve prolapse syndrome:a double-blind,inatients versus placebo controlled study Eur J Clin Invest;19 Insomnia
    8.- Langsjoen H., Willis R., Folkers K.(1990). Treatment fi hypertension with deligated coenzyme Q10 investigation fromm general practice Pracitcing Physician;44-46 Lancet
    9.-Van der Putten C, Vissers MCJM,:Unique feature of proteins involved in cellular stress signaling pathways is necessary for sensing environmental stimuli by TLR4 Cell Mol Immunol12 :409–425,[1038/cmi.N2013] PMID: 25306721
    10.- Skvarc M et al.: Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Response and Inflammation Status Following Of Miroglial and Mitochondrial Damage in Vitro// Journal of Clinical Medicine10:21, 2021,[doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010142]
    11.- Felvert-Avlagovic N:Pharmacotherapy Considerations in Patients With CoQ10 Deficiency Pharmacy & Therapeutics.(2018),Accessed January 7th,2022 ,available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5760425/
    12.- Drake C., Roehrs T., Shambroom J. et al.: Caffeine Effects on Sleep Taken 0, 3 or 6 Hours before Going to bed .J Clin Sleep Med(2013).,(9)11”-1189-95.do/https:/doi.org/11398jsmph-at.s19
    13.- Cuttler C, Spradlin A et al.(2018).”Cannabis use temporarily relieves ADHD symptoms”. Nature Scientific Reports. PMID [30498230.
    14.- Lindberg M.J.et al:Magnesium-pyridoxal-phosphate-glutamate treatment improved sleep quality alongside with reduced inflammation in patients with localized prostate cancer: a randomized clinical trial. ;[PMID:]31775647
    15.- Ravindra MVet al:.Sleep Supplement as a Treatment Option for Hypertension? A Review of the Current Literature and Practical Recommendations For Physicians High Blood Pressure Cardiovasc Prev37 (5),547–554.[doi:10.1007/s40292-020] PMID:[32638044])

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