diabetes -asprin and statin

I am 58 year old woman living in India. I had diabetes (type II) in the year 2004 and mild hypertension in the year 1996.My doctor has prescribed the following medicines from time to time.

Glycomet 125 mg twice per day breakfast and dinner time) since ctober 2004 (Metformin Hydrochloride)

Stamlo 5 mg one per day at breakfast  since  May 1996(amlodipine Basylate)

TG -Tor  5 mg one per day during bed time since october 2007 (Atorvostatin)

ASA 50 mg one per day during bed time (Acytyl Salcilic Acid ) since june 2008

Cobadex CZS one per day (Multivitamin Selenium,Zink and chromium) sinceoct 2007

My Hypertension and Diabetes are very well in the normal limits. At no time it has acceded  the normal levels.

My question is whether i should continue ASA 50 mg and Statin also,as my lipid s are very well in the normal limits.

But i am told that Diabetics will be prescribed  Atorvostatin and Asprin to be on the safe side.Is it so? Please advise me

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hello,

The data is quite supportive of taking a low dose daily aspirin if you are over the age of 40 year and have diabetes, in order to help prevent heart attack and stroke. The aspirin may not seem as though it is doing anything obvious, but it is likely doing great preventive things on your behalf.
The Atorvastatin is something you should discuss further with your doctor. But do know that your lipid numbers may be at goal BECAUSE of the atorvastatin, so stopping it may make the level worse than they are now. In addition there is also good supportive data about this class of medications in terms of preventing heart disease in people with diabetes, so overall it is a good idea to have it on your medication regimen, unless there are reasons why you should not be taking it. So discuss further with your doctor if you are concerned.
Take care.

[suggadaddy]

one does get a few prescription drugs that combine a statin and aspirin.

however, aspirin therapy should be started after consulting your endocrinologist / diabetologist, since "daily aspirin therapy", once started, cannot be stopped immediately (it has to be done gradually) - so one has to be careful about that.

but one cant deny the positive effects of aspirin for diabetics even if their lipids and BG are in control.

so a quick chat with your MD will help you out.

[isweetfellow]

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