Lipitor

Atorvastatin Calcium Drug Information

• Lipitor Overview

  Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help Lipitor work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

• How to Use Lipitor

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking atorvastatin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Lipitor by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. The Dosage of Lipitor is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using Lipitor unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of Lipitor in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take atorvastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can react with atorvastatin, preventing its full absorption. Take Lipitor regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking Lipitor even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of Lipitor.

• Lipitor Precautions

  Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Lipitor may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Lipitor, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with atorvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Lipitor, especially muscle problems. Lipitor must not be used during pregnancy. Atorvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking Lipitor. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking Lipitor. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. It is unknown if Lipitor passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Lipitor is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Lipitor Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Lipitor, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Lipitor Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.gemfibrozil. Other medications can affect the removal of atorvastatin from your body, which may affect how atorvastatin works. Examples include cyclosporine, glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir, telaprevir, telithromycin, ritonavir, among others. Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking atorvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking atorvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

• Lipitor Side Effects

  Remember that your doctor has prescribed Lipitor because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Lipitor do not have serious side effects. A very small number of people taking atorvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor. Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. Lipitor may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy).muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). Lipitor may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects,yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting. A very serious allergic reaction to Lipitor is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

  List of Atorvastatin Calcium side effects

• Lipitor Storage

  Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Lipitor when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.