Common atorvastatin side effects may include: This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Nov 2020), Cerner Multum™ (updated 2 Nov 2020), ASHP (updated 23 Oct 2020) and others. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Atorvastatin is usually taken once a day, with or without food. LIPITOR may be used with bile acid resins. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Follow all directions on your prescription label. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. The dosage of LIPITOR in patients with HoFH is 10 to 80 mg daily. The starting dose and maintenance doses of LIPITOR should be individualized according to patient characteristics such as goal of therapy and response. Generic Name: atorvastatin (a TOR va sta tin) Zetia, simvastatin, fenofibrate, Lopid, rosuvastatin, Lipitor, Crestor, ezetimibe, pravastatin, evolocumab. Atorvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Children 10 to 17 years of age—At first, 10 mg once a day. In patients taking clarithromycin, itraconazole, elbasvir plus grazoprevir, or in patients with HIV taking a combination of saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir plus ritonavir or letermovir therapy with LIPITOR should be limited to 20 mg, and appropriate clinical assessment is recommended to ensure that the lowest dose necessary of LIPITOR is used. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Available for Android and iOS devices. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Atorvastatin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine. Are Statin Side Effects 'All in Your Head'? You should not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease. Patients who require a large reduction in LDL-C (more than 45%) may be started at 40 mg once daily. Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Renal disease does not affect the plasma concentrations nor LDL-C reduction of LIPITOR; thus, dosage adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction is not necessary [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with atorvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Available for Android and iOS devices. Version: 21.01. Atorvastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan. Adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more. Other drugs may interact with atorvastatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Atorvastatin side effects (in more detail). Patients who require a large reduction in LDL-C (more than 45%) may be started at 40 mg once daily. Generic name: ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM TRIHYDRATE 10mgDosage form: tablet, film coated. Atorvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with atorvastatin. Are Statin Side Effects 'All in Your Head'? Atorvastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old. Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day. Take atorvastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take the medicine at the same time each day. In patients taking cyclosporine or the HIV protease inhibitor tipranavir plus ritonavir or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir or letermovir when co-administered with cyclosporine, therapy with LIPITOR should be avoided. Also call your doctor at once if you have: muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back. How long does atorvastatin stay in the system after stopping the drug? Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using. Does Lipitor work better if you take it at night? Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to atorvastatin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Select one or more newsletters to continue. In patients taking cyclosporine or the HIV protease inhibitor tipranavir plus ritonavir or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir or letermovir when co-administered with cyclosporine, therapy with LIPITOR should be avoided. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Atorvastatin side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to atorvastatin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Computer 'Nudge' Spurs Doctors to Prescribe Statins to Heart Patients, Statins Going Generic Saved Medicare Billions. After initiation and/or upon titration of LIPITOR, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and dosage adjusted accordingly. Atorvastatin drug interactions (in more detail). For oral dosage form (tablets): For high cholesterol: Adults—At first, 10 or 20 milligrams (mg) once a day.