Can I take Atorvastatin and Shiitake together?

You can generally take atorvastatin with shiitake mushrooms if you occasionally eat them as part of a normal diet. However, you should avoid taking concentrated shiitake supplements or large medicinal amounts without speaking to your doctor first.

Shiitake mushrooms naturally contain a substance called eritadenine, which helps lower cholesterol. They also contain small amounts of naturally occurring statin-like compounds (similar to lovastatin).

When taken with atorvastatin, these effects can add together (an additive effect), potentially increasing the level of statin activity in your body beyond what was intended by your prescription.

Vad du bör göra

If you experience any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking these together, contact your GP immediately.

Graviditet

You must not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Use effective contraception while taking this medicine.

Muscle disorders - atorvastatin

Seek immediate medical advice if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In rare cases, this can lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis which causes kidney damage.

Blood clotting disorders or surgery

Shiitake supplements can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding. You must stop taking them at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice contains compounds that can increase the level of atorvastatin in your blood. This may increase your risk of side effects, such as muscle pain or damage. Avoid drinking large quantities (more than 1.2 litres per day), though it is safest to avoid it altogether or keep intake to very small amounts.

Alkohol

While alcohol does not directly interact with atorvastatin, drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of liver problems and muscle side effects. It is best to keep your intake within the recommended limits (no more than 14 units per week).

Taking multiple medicines? Our Interaktionskontroll för läkemedel helps you check whether your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements are safe to take together. Simply search for your medicines to see potential interactions and what to do about them.

Ansvarsfriskrivning

Denna information är endast avsedd för allmän utbildning och bör inte användas som en ersättning för professionell medicinsk rådgivning. Rådfråga alltid din läkare, apotekare eller annan kvalificerad vårdpersonal innan du fattar beslut om dina mediciner. Individuella omständigheter kan variera, och endast en vårdpersonal som känner till din medicinska historia kan ge personlig vägledning.