Lawrence has been taking his prescription for the last month and had his blood drawn. At his follow-up appointment with his physician, he complains about muscle cramping in his legs that is particularly bad at night and it is not responding to the non-pharmacological treatments he’s tried, including hot/cold packs, warm baths or muscle rubs. He states that he is worried that he won’t be able to keep taking the medication if the side effects will remain as long as he is taking it. 1. What adverse effect is Lawrence experiencing? Why is this important? Lawrence’s doctor instructs him to only take his statin on alternating days, and to add Omega-3 Fatty Acids 800 mg per day, to supplement his treatment. Lawrence is to have his blood drawn again in one month and schedule another follow-up appointment to review his lipid panel with his doctor. 1. What purpose does changing Lawrence’s dose to every other day serve? 2. What are Omega-3 fatty acids and what benefit do they provide? 3. What is a Lipid Panel?

Lawrence has been taking his prescription for the last month and had his blood drawn. At his follow-up appointment with his physician, he complains about muscle cramping in his legs that is particularly bad at night and it is not responding to the non-pharmacological treatments he’s tried, including hot/cold packs, warm baths or muscle rubs. He states that he is worried that he won’t be able to keep taking the medication if the side effects will remain as long as he is taking it. 1. What adverse effect is Lawrence experiencing? Why is this important? Lawrence’s doctor instructs him to only take his statin on alternating days, and to add Omega-3 Fatty Acids 800 mg per day, to supplement his treatment. Lawrence is to have his blood drawn again in one month and schedule another follow-up appointment to review his lipid panel with his doctor. 1. What purpose does changing Lawrence’s dose to every other day serve? 2. What are Omega-3 fatty acids and what benefit do they provide? 3. What is a Lipid Panel?