{"id":52366,"date":"2022-07-06T08:52:05","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T12:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52366"},"modified":"2026-03-22T21:08:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T01:08:39","slug":"when-to-take-statins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/when-to-take-statins\/","title":{"rendered":"When is the best time to take statins?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Statins<\/span><\/a> are a drug class many experts consider to be the best medications for preventing, treating, and lowering a person\u2019s risk of heart disease. If heart attacks, strokes, or peripheral artery blockages have been a problem already or are a future concern of yours, statins have a lot to offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Signs of heart problems worth worrying about<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Benefits of statins<\/span><\/h2>\n

Besides their well-known ability to lower cholesterol, statins <\/span>stabilize cholesterol plaques<\/span>, <\/span>reduce inflammation in the circulatory system<\/span>, <\/span>promote blood vessel dilation<\/span>, and <\/span>reduce blood clotting factors<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having this myriad of mechanisms in your corner is of obvious importance if you have already experienced a heart attack or stroke or have been identified as having a blockage in an artery. If not, you could still benefit if you have an increased risk of developing one of these issues. Your healthcare provider can help you to quantify <\/span>your risk<\/span>. By assessing your <\/span>cholesterol blood tests<\/span><\/a>, measuring to see if you have <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>, and considering whether you smoke, have diabetes, or have a family history of cardiovascular disease, a healthcare professional can determine if taking a statin is worthwhile for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If a statin is prescribed, the next step is to maximize its effectiveness and minimize the risk of adverse effects. Goals are based on sufficiently <\/span>lowering<\/span><\/a> the value of your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or LDL cholesterol (high blood cholesterol), commonly referred to as <\/span>bad cholesterol<\/span><\/a>. This article will provide actionable steps to do so, focusing on what time of day to take a statin.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>High triglyceride treatment options<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

When to take statins<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our body\u2019s internal functions differ depending on the time of day. The circadian rhythm, or 24-hour cycle of bodily mechanisms, may affect blood cholesterol levels. <\/span>Production of cholesterol peaks overnight<\/a><\/span>. HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme involved in the bodily synthesis of cholesterol, and statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. To maximize your benefit from the statin and lower lipid numbers, you will want to block the overnight synthesis of cholesterol. Accordingly, statins with short half-lives (remain active in the body for less time) should be taken in the evenings, while statins with long half-lives can generally be taken at any time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which statins need to be taken in the morning?<\/span><\/h3>\n

The only instance when a statin must be taken in the morning is when a twice-daily dosing regimen is used. In these cases, morning and evening doses are taken. This is not a common practice because many once-daily statin options are available. The following statins can be taken once or twice a day and should include a morning dose if taken twice daily. Lovastatin has another important facet; it should be taken with food for maximal absorption.<\/span><\/p>\n