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

  What are Lipitor side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Lipitor may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Lipitor as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Lipitor

  The side effects of Lipitor may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Lipitor. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Lipitor may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Lipitor, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Lipitor.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Lipitor, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Lipitor and the side effects associated with Lipitor are described in the following:

  Common Lipitor Side Effects

  Severe

  • arthralgias

  Less Severe

  • diarrhea
  • pharyngitis
  • dyspepsia
  • pain
  • urinary tract infection

  Less Frequent Lipitor Side Effects

  Severe

  • myalgias
  • muscle spasm

  Less Severe

  • nausea
  • skin rash
  • dizziness
  • insomnia
  • Musculoskeletal Pain

  Rare or Very Rare Lipitor Side Effects

  Severe

  • immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy
  • hepatic failure
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • myopathy
  • neck stiffness
  • muscle weakness
  • cholestasis
  • angioedema
  • Anaphylaxis
  • myositis
  • Pancreatitis
  • hepatitis
  • tendon rupture
  • rhabdomyolysis
  • abnormal hepatic function tests
  • Erythema Multiforme
  • toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Interstitial Lung Disease
  • increased alanine transaminase
  • increased aspartate transaminase

  Less Severe

  • nightmares
  • hyperglycemia
  • Acute Abdominal Pain
  • epistaxis
  • eructation
  • Paresthesia
  • memory impairment
  • tinnitus
  • sterile pyuria
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • blurred vision
  • malaise
  • urticaria
  • acute confusion
  • depression
  • flatulence
  • joint stiffness
  • dysgeusia
  • weight gain

• 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.