Medications and Drugs

Cholesterol Levels Slideshow Pictures Lower Cholesterol Slideshow: Avoid Heart Disease Take the Cholesterol Quiz 242897

Brand Names: Lipitor

Generic Name: atorvastatin (Pronunciation: a TOR va sta tin)

• What is atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• What are the possible side effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• How should I take atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Lipitor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Lipitor)?
• What should I avoid while taking atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• What other drugs will affect atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is atorvastatin (Lipitor)?

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.

Atorvastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol. Atorvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Atorvastatin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lipitor 10 mg

elliptical, white, imprinted with PD 155, 10

Lipitor 20 mg

elliptical, white, imprinted with PD 156, 20

Lipitor 40 mg

elliptical, white, imprinted with PD 157, 40

Lipitor 80 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with PD 158, 80

What are the possible side effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using atorvastatin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea or stomach pain, stomach upset, heartburn;
• constipation, bloating, gas;
• stuffy nose; or
• itching, skin rash; or
• headache.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about atorvastatin (Lipitor)?

In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Do not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a history of liver disease.

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.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking atorvastatin. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking atorvastatin.

There are many other drugs that can interact with atorvastatin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.