Atorvastatin

Generic name: Atorvastatin
Drug class: Statins

Usage of Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.

Atorvastatin is also used to lower the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood.

Atorvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally).

Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with atorvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Atorvastatin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to atorvastatin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Atorvastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.

Muscle problems may be more likely in older adults and those who have kidney problems, thyroid problems, or take certain other medicines.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back;

trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing;

liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.

Common atorvastatin side effects may include:

pain in your bones, spine, joints, or muscles;

pain and burning when you urinate, painful urination;

muscle spasms;

upset stomach;

trouble sleeping;

stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat;

diarrhea, nausea; or

pain in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Atorvastatin

You should not use atorvastatin if you are allergic to it, or if you have liver failure or cirrhosis.

To make sure atorvastatin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

muscle pain or weakness;

diabetes;

stroke;

a thyroid disorder;

a habit of drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day; or

kidney disease.

Atorvastatin can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in women, in older adults, or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Atorvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Atorvastatin

Take atorvastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Do not change your dose or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice.

Atorvastatin is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may take the tablet form of this medicine with or without food.

Take the liquid medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.

It may take up to 2 weeks before your cholesterol levels improve, and you may need frequent blood tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid). Measure a dose with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Throw away in the trash any unused liquid 60 days after opening the bottle.

Warnings

You should not take atorvastatin if you have liver disease or cirrhosis.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with atorvastatin. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Atorvastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Atorvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

What other drugs will affect Atorvastatin

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which can increase risk of serious muscle problems or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with atorvastatin, especially:

other cholesterol lowering medicine - gemfibrozil, niacin, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, and others;

colchicine;

antibiotic or antifungal medicine - rifampin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole;

birth control pills;

medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection; or

antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with atorvastatin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Limes, pomegranates, pomelos, and Seville oranges can also interact with some medications, including statins such as atorvastatin. There just hasn't been as much research published regarding how other types of citrus (apart from grapefruit) interact with statins. Large quantities of lime or lime peel should be avoided, although small amounts (such as a twist of lime in a drink) are unlikely to cause a significant interaction. Continue reading

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.