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Lipid modification - primary and secondary CVD prevention - Management
How should abnormal liver function test results be managed in people taking a statin?
If liver function test (LFT) results are abnormal while on a statin:
- If less than three times the upper limit of normal:
- Continue the statin, but recheck LFTs within 4–6 weeks to exclude further increases in transaminase levels.
- No extra monitoring is required if values are stable.
- If transaminase levels are three times the upper limit of normal or more, consider the following options, depending on the concentration:
- Stop the statin and recheck LFTs within 4–6 weeks to ensure that values settle (consider re-introducing the statin cautiously at a later date) or
- Reduce the statin dosage and recheck LFTs within 4–6 weeks:
- Stop the statin if transaminase levels continue to be three times the upper limit of normal or more.
Basis for recommendation
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