Uses
What is atorvastatin used for?
Atorvastatin is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It also increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Improving your cholesterol levels helps decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Atorvastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does atorvastatin work (mechanism of action)?
Atorvastatin lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the breakdown of bad cholesterol.
How is atorvastatin supplied (dosage forms)?
Atorvastatin is available as Atorvaliq, Lipitor and generic atorvastatin in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 10 mg oral tablets
- 20 mg oral tablets
- 40 mg oral tablets
- 80 mg oral tablets
- 20 mg/5 mL oral suspension
How should I store atorvastatin?
Oral Tablet. Atorvastatin oral tablets should be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Oral Liquid. Atorvastatin oral suspension should be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in the original bottle. Use within the first 60 days of opening, then throw away any remaining medicine.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of atorvastatin?
The most common atorvastatinside effects are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat
- Muscle spasms or pain
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Pain in your arms and legs
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
There may be other side effects of atorvastatin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of atorvastatin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of atorvastatin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Muscle Problems. Atorvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking atorvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
- Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
- Dark colored urine
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking atorvastatin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light colored poop
- Dark colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Increased Blood Sugar. Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Fluvastatin can cause allergic reactions, including a severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which can be serious. Stop taking fluvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
- Blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red, painful, watery eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use atorvastatin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take atorvastatin.
- Atorvastatin
- Atorvaliq
- Lipitor
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific atorvastatin products they stock.
Liver Problems. Atorvastatin should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about atorvastatin before using it?
Do not take atorvastatin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share atorvastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep atorvastatin out of the reach of children.
People aged 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of atorvastatin, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Take atorvastatin oral suspension on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of atorvastatin oral suspension. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using atorvastatin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if atorvastatin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- History of stroke
- Thyroid problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Atorvastatin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking atorvastatin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. Atorvastatin may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking atorvastatin right away and contact your healthcare provider.
Breastfeeding. Do not take atorvastatin while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if atorvastatin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does atorvastatin interact with foods or drinks?
Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (1.2 liters or more) while taking atorvastatin. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can increase your risk of developing serious muscle problems.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking atorvastatin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink significant amounts of alcohol. Tell your healthcare provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking atorvastatin.
Does atorvastatin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using atorvastatin.
- A medicine used for HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis C
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend) which are medicines used for fungus infections
- Colchicine, which is commonly used for gout
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Niacin or a fibrate such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor), or fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), which are medicines for high cholesterol
- Rifampin, which is a medicine used to treat tuberculosis and other infections caused by bacteria
- A birth control pill
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of atorvastatin, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Does Atorvastatin interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally take too much atorvastatin?
If you or someone else has taken too much atorvastatin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of atorvastatin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours has passed since your last dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.
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