Lipitor
Lipitor is a statin medication that helps lower unhealthy fat levels in your blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides, and can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Atorvastatin calcium trihydrate
Manufacturer
Upjohn EESV
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for adults and children over 10 years old is one 10 mg tablet once daily; your doctor may adjust this dose as needed.
Method
Swallow the tablet whole with water. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food, but try to take it at the same time each day.
Important
The maximum daily dose of Lipitor is one 80 mg tablet once daily.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nasal inflammation, sore throat, or nosebleeds
- •Allergic reactions
- •Increased blood sugar levels
- •Headache
- •Nausea, constipation, gas, indigestion, or diarrhea
- •Joint pain, muscle pain, or back pain
- •Abnormal liver function test results
RARE
- •Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, causing difficulty breathing or collapse
- •Severe skin reactions, including peeling, blistering, and rash with fever
- •Muscle weakness, tenderness, pain, breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), possibly with dark urine, fever, or feeling unwell, which can lead to kidney problems
- •Unexpected bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the skin or eyes (cholestasis), which could indicate liver problems
- •Nervous system issues like dizziness, memory loss, numbness or tingling in limbs, blurred vision, or hearing loss
- •Digestive problems like vomiting, abdominal pain, or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- •Mood changes such as nightmares, insomnia, or depression
- •Gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in men)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Lipitor if you are allergic to atorvastatin or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Avoid Lipitor if you have or have had liver disease or unexplained abnormal liver blood test results.
- Do not use Lipitor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, breastfeeding, or are a woman of childbearing age not using reliable contraception.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for Hepatitis C, as Lipitor should not be used with this combination.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken fusidic acid (an antibiotic), as combining it with Lipitor can lead to serious muscle problems.
Show 3 more warnings
- Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking Lipitor, as this can increase your risk of side effects.
- Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of muscle pain, weakness, or unexplained muscle problems, or if these issues run in your family.
- Consult your doctor if you have Myasthenia (general muscle weakness) or ocular myasthenia (eye muscle weakness), as statins can sometimes worsen these conditions.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Possible adverse effects include muscle pain and muscular weakness. Consider potential interactions. Avoid grapefruit. (updated 17.4.2023)