Frequently Asked Questions
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Omega 3 on prescription Maxepa and Omacor at Doctor Fox
What is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)?
What is cholesterol and why is too much harmful to health?
How many people have high cholesterol?
How will I benefit from simvastatin?
How safe is simvastatin?
What else can I do to reduce my risk?
Can I get cholesterol lowering statins on the NHS?
What should I tell my GP?
Where can I find more information?
ABOUT SIMVASTATIN
Who is eligible for simvastatin from cholesteroldoctors?
How do I take simvastatin?
Can I drink alcohol whilst taking simvastatin?
Can I exercise with simvastatin?
Why do I need to avoid grapefruit juice?
Are there drugs I should not take with simvastatin?
What side effects should I look out for?
What happens if I stop taking simvastatin?
Will simvastatin lower my cholesterol too much?
Don't I need a cholesterol test before I take statins?
I have heard statins can affect the liver?
Why should everyone see a GP about blood pressure and cholesterol?
How will I know simvastatin is working?
Are there alternative drugs to lower cholesterol?
ABOUT ORDERING PRICES AND DELIVERY
How much will treatment cost?
How do I know I am getting quality medication?
How long does it take to receive my tablets?
Can I order more than one month's supply of simvastatin?
Can I pay monthly?
Will I receive a refund if I cancel?
Will I get a reminder?
Can I see the doctor's name?
Is my information secure?
What happens if my assessment answers change?
Can I get medication from cholesteroldoctors using a prescription from my GP?
OTHER QUESTIONS
What should I do if I do not qualify for a prescription?
I do not qualify for simvastatin. Does this mean I should not take it?
Shouldn't statins be reserved for people with high cholesterol?
Shouldn't blood pressure be checked first?
Why is the site for men 45-70 and women 55-70yrs?
Complaints and Feedback
SITE RELAUNCHED AT doctorfox.co.uk
Omega 3 on prescription Maxepa and Omacor at Doctor Fox
What is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)?Coronary Heart Disease covers a group of conditions arising from fatty deposits inside the arteries supplying blood to the heart. This can cause angina (heart pain), cardiac muscle damage (myocardial infarction or heart attack). Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single leading cause of death for adults in the UK.
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What is cholesterol and why is too much harmful to health?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipid (fats) in the bloodstream and in all the body's cells. It is normal to have cholesterol and it is an important part of a healthy body. Too high a level of cholesterol in the blood is, however, a risk for CHD.
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How many people have high cholesterol?
Two thirds of the UK populations over 40 have cholesterol above the recommended level.
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How will I benefit from simvastatin?
Cholesterol levels will be reduced within the first months of treatment. The risk of heart attack will be reduced by about 10% after the first year rising to around a third after three years. To benefit simvastatin should be taken on a long term basis.
Stroke is also reduced by a similar amount.
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How safe is simvastatin?
Very safe - simvastatin has been available in the UK for over 18 years. Many millions of patients have been treated safely. All medicines have the potential to cause side effects. Most of these side effects are not serious.
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What else can I do to reduce my risk?
To reduce cholesterol you should eat foods low in saturated fat. You should control your weight and take regular exercise. See information pages.
None of these things individually is likely to be as effective as statins at reducing cholesterol.
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Can I get cholesterol lowering statins on the NHS?
Only people with high cholesterol in the high risk group for coronary heart disease qualify for cholesterol lowering statins on the NHS. Cholesteroldoctors offers simvastatin to those in the moderate risk group.
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What should I tell my GP?
At the results stage of the assessment you will see a letter for your GP to download. You can print or email the letter for your GP.
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Where can I find more information?
Follow the links on this site to see information pages on taking simvastatin, statins, cholesterol, heart disease, lifestyle and diet, how the site works, prices and more. The British Heart Foundation is also good source of information.
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ABOUT SIMVASTATIN
Who is eligible for simvastatin from cholesteroldoctors?People whose assessment suggests moderate risk for coronary heart disease. If answers suggest higher or lower risk the site doctor will not prescribe simvastatin.
The doctor will also not prescribe simvastatin where there are complicating factors e.g. diabetes, or contraindications.
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How do I take simvastatin?
Take one 10mg simvastatin tablet daily at night.
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Can I drink alcohol whilst taking simvastatin?
Yes - but not regularly above the recommended 28 units a week for men 21 units a week for women.
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Can I exercise with simvastatin?
Yes - you can exercise normally whilst taking simvastatin.
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Why do I need to avoid grapefruit juice?
Grapefruit juice can increase the level of simvastatin in the blood. An occasional small glass is not harmful.
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Are there drugs I should not take with simvastatin?
Yes - a prescription for simvastatin will not be issued if you are taking interacting drugs. A list of drugs which interact with simvastatin can be seen on the site link 'Simvastatin' and is supplied with your tablets. If in doubt about a new drug ask a pharmacist or doctor.
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What side effects should I look out for?
Very rare, unexplained muscle pain, weakness or aching and jaundice (yellowing of the skin) are important: stop taking simvastatin and see a GP.
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What happens if I stop taking simvastatin?
Your cholesterol rises to its previous level and there will be no preventative effects. Some of the benefits of having taken simvastatin remain for a period depending on how long it was taken for.
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Will simvastatin lower my cholesterol too much?
No - there is no evidence that 10mg simvastatin could make your cholesterol 'too low'.
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Don't I need a cholesterol test before I take statins?
No - simvastatin can reduce cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease whatever the starting point.
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I have heard statins can affect the liver?
Simvastatin 10mg is so safe there is no need for liver tests before or whilst taking it.
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Why should everyone see a GP about blood pressure and cholesterol?
To look for undetected high blood pressure and inherited high cholesterol both of which may need treatment.
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How will I know simvastatin is working?
The best outcome is the prevention, in this case of coronary heart disease and stroke.
You should arrange a check on your cholesterol after two month's treatment. Discuss results above 5.5 with your GP. Your GP may recommend you continue simvastatin 10mg or recommend alternatives.
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Are there alternative drugs to lower cholesterol?
Yes - Simvastatin is one of a number of statins. The advantage of simvastatin 10mg is that it is safe to be taken without monitoring where coronary risk is moderate. The cost is also low.
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ABOUT ORDERING PRICES AND DELIVERY
How much will treatment cost?Assessment is free. Prescription and dispensing of simvastatin 10mg posted costs £5.50 per month or £66 per year.
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How do I know I am getting quality medication?
The registration number of the pharmacist is on the green cross logo. The simvastatin tablets are from a large UK supplier.
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How long does it take to receive my tablets?
Usually posted within 24hrs. Orders made after Saturday midday are posted on Monday.
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Can I order more than one month's supply of simvastatin?
Yes - you can order three, six or twelve months simvastatin at the time or set up a regular monthly payment. See prices page.
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Can I pay monthly?
Yes - for a monthly payment of £5.50 you receive 354 tablets posted through the year in four installments.
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Will I receive a refund if I cancel?
Yes - You will receive a refund on any unused packs returned to the pharmacist.
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Will I get a reminder?
Yes - 10 days before your tablets run out you will receive a reminder email. You can opt not to receive emails.
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Can I see the doctor's name?
When you make an order for a prescription you will see the name of your doctor.
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Is my information secure?
Yes - all data is encrypted and stored securely under the requirements of the data protection act. Your information will not be passed on in anyway.
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What happens if my assessment answers change?
When you log on you will see your previous answers. You are asked to confirm or change your answers.
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Can I get medication from cholesteroldoctors using a prescription from my GP?
The site doctors only prescribe simvastatin 10mg. If your GP gives a prescription our site pharmacy can supply any medication. Link to the site pharmacy is on the contact page.
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OTHER QUESTIONS
What should I do if I do not qualify for a prescription?You will be told why and be provided with a printable letter for your GP
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I do not qualify for simvastatin. Does this mean I should not take it?
Not necessarily - You may benefit from statins even when you do not qualify for them at cholesteroldoctors. Your GP will be able to advise. You will see more information about this at results stage of the assessment.
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Shouldn't statins be reserved for people with high cholesterol?
No - studies show the benefit to reducing coronary heart disease risk by reducing cholesterol does not depend of the starting cholesterol level.
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Shouldn't blood pressure be checked first?
Everyone over 40 should have a blood pressure check. People with known high blood pressure (over 150/90) will not qualify for a prescription. It is not harmful for them to take simvastatin but they may require other treatment.
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Why is the site for men 45-70 and women 55-70yrs?
The risk assessment only works for this age group. Some younger people can benefit from statins as do many older people but their assessment is outside the scope of the site.
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Complaints and Feedback
Complaints and feedback can be made by email at directors@doctorfox.co.uk phone 0845 800800 or by post to Dr Steele, No. 7, 17 Randall Road, Clifton Wood, Bristol, BS8 4TP. Written complaints will be acknowledged within 2 working days and responded to in full within 20 days.
Complaints about the delivery, packaging and labelling should be directed to delivering pharmacy. details in confirmation email
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