Overview Of Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Potential Side Effects

The most common side effects of atorvastatin are joint pain, confusion, memory issues, heartburn, and diarrhea. Patients might develop a cough or runny nose while taking atorvastatin, and headaches, lower back pain, and hoarseness are frequently reported as well. Some individuals who take atorvastatin could experience serious side effects. For example, muscle cramps may occur in the legs, and some patients might notice muscle weakness, stiffness or pain. Occasionally, this medicine could cause liver issues. Patients should be vigilant for the potential signs of liver damage, including dark-colored urine, jaundice, loss of appetite, fatigue and pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. Other less common potential side effects include stomach or back pain, nausea, sweating, constipation and sleep disturbances.

Patients should let their doctor know about any side effects that are bothersome, persistent, or severe. If potential signs of liver damage are present, individuals should make an urgent appointment with the prescribing physician. Patients should inform their doctor immediately if they have any unexplained muscle pain or weakness while taking atorvastatin. These symptoms could be indicative of myopathy or other serious muscle conditions.

Learn about the precautions to remember in regards to taking atorvastatin next.

Precautions To Remember

Before taking atorvastatin, patients should let their doctor know about any history of diabetes, kidney disease, liver issues, muscle pain, or thyroid disorders. Atorvastatin is not safe for use by patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients over sixty-five years old have a higher risk of experiencing muscle breakdown during treatment with this medication, and it may cause increases in blood glucose. Individuals with diabetes may need to have their diabetes medications adjusted, and they might be asked to monitor their blood sugar more frequently. Atorvastatin can affect the results of liver function tests, and it should not be used by patients with liver disease. Patients with kidney damage are at an elevated risk of muscle breakdown with this medicine, and they may need to be closely monitored by their doctor for signs of potential muscle issues.

All patients who take atorvastatin will need to avoid or limit grapefruit juice during treatment. The juice increases the amount of atorvastatin in the blood, and this could lead to muscle damage and an increase in side effects. Patients should ask their doctor about the amount of grapefruit juice that is safe for their overall health. Additionally, drinking more than two alcoholic beverages per day may increase a patient's risk of developing liver disease as a side effect of this medicine. Patients should let their doctor know about their alcohol consumption habits before starting treatment with this drug. Patients may need to temporarily discontinue atorvastatin if they develop seizures, severely low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalances or serious infection. This medicine may also need to be discontinued before surgery or during a medical emergency.

Get the details on potential medication interactions with atorvastatin next.