. 2015 Jun 29;65(636):378–380. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X685933

Table 1.

Grouping of statins used in this guideline¹

	Reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, %
Statin, mg/day	5	10	20	40	80
Fluvastatin	–	–	21^a	27^a	33^a
Pravastatin	–	20^a	24^a	29^a	–
Simvastatin	–	27^a	32^b	37^b	[42]^c,d
Atorvastatin	–	37^b	43^c	49^c	55^c
Rosuvastatin	38^b	43^c	48^c	53^c	–

20%–30%: low intensity.

31%–40%: medium intensity.

>40%: high intensity.

Advice from the MHRA: there is an increased risk of myopathy associated with high dose (80 mg) simvastatin. The 80 mg dose should be considered only in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia and high risk of cardiovascular complications who have not achieved their treatment goals on lower doses, when the benefits are expected to outweigh the potential risks.