Discover the common and serious side effects of Lipitor (atorvastatin) 80 mg, including nausea, indigestion, headaches, nosebleeds, sore throat, and more. Find out how to manage these side effects and when to seek immediate medical attention.

Understanding the Side Effects of Lipitor 80 mg

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a widely prescribed statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Like any medication, Lipitor can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone experiences them. The type and severity of side effects can vary from person to person.

Common Side Effects of Lipitor 80 mg

The most common side effects of Lipitor 80 mg occur in more than 1 in 100 people. These include:

Nausea and Indigestion

Feeling sick (nausea) or experiencing indigestion can be common when starting Lipitor. To help manage these symptoms, stick to simple meals, avoid rich or spicy foods, and consider taking your Lipitor after a meal or snack. If the symptoms persist or worsen, speak to your pharmacist about taking an antacid or contact your doctor.

Headaches

Headaches are a common side effect of Lipitor. Make sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Headaches usually go away within the first week of taking Lipitor, but if they persist for longer or are severe, talk to your doctor.

Nosebleeds

If you experience a nosebleed, sit down, lean forward, and pinch your nose just above the nostrils for 10-15 minutes. You can also try holding an icepack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel on the top of your nose to help reduce the blood flow.

Sore Throat

A sore throat can be a side effect of Lipitor. To help alleviate the discomfort, try gargling with warm, salty water (not recommended for children), and ask your pharmacist for a suitable painkiller. Drink plenty of water, eat cool or soft foods, and avoid smoking or smoky environments. If the symptoms last longer than a week, seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor.

Cold-like Symptoms

Some people may experience cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose, or sneezing, while taking Lipitor. Make sure to rest, keep yourself warm, and drink plenty of fluids. Your pharmacist can recommend suitable cold medications and decongestants to help relieve these symptoms.

Constipation and Flatulence

Constipation and excessive farting (flatulence) can also occur with Lipitor. Try to eat smaller meals, increase your intake of high-fiber foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Peppermint tea can be helpful for managing flatulence. Regular exercise, such as daily walks or runs, may also help. If these measures do not provide relief, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a side effect of Lipitor. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. If you are taking contraceptive pills and experience severe diarrhea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not be effective, so check the pill packet for advice.

Serious Side Effects of Lipitor 80 mg

In some cases, Lipitor can cause more serious side effects. Stop taking Lipitor and contact your doctor or call 111 if you experience any of the following:

Unexplained Muscle Pain, Tenderness, Weakness, or Cramps

These symptoms can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage, which is a serious side effect of Lipitor.

Yellowing of the Eyes or Skin

Yellowing of the eyes or skin, along with pale stool and dark urine, can be signs of liver problems.

Skin Rash

A skin rash with pink or red blotches, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, can be a sign of a condition called erythema multiforme.

Severe Stomach Pain

Severe stomach pain can be a sign of acute pancreatitis, which requires immediate medical attention.

Cough, Shortness of Breath, and Weight Loss

These symptoms can be a sign of lung disease and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Serious Allergic Reactions

In rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to Lipitor. Seek immediate medical attention by calling 999 or going to the nearest A&E if you experience a skin rash, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing or talking, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Managing Side Effects and Alcohol Consumption

If you are experiencing side effects from Lipitor and are considering stopping the medication, it is important to talk to your doctor first. Your doctor may be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a different statin medication. Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly can increase the risk of side effects and liver problems with Lipitor, so it is important to limit your alcohol consumption while taking this medication.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If the side effects you are experiencing are making you want to stop taking Lipitor, or if they are persistent or worsening, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine if the side effects are related to the medication or another underlying issue, and they may be able to suggest ways to manage the side effects or adjust your treatment plan.

Side effects of atorvastatin – NHS

Like all medicines, atorvastatin can cause side effects in some people, but not everybody gets them. Different statins affect people in different ways.

Some side effects may improve after the first few days, as your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects

These common side effects of atorvastatin happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Feeling sick (nausea) or indigestion

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your atorvastatin after a meal or snack.

If you continue to get symptoms of indigestion, ask your pharmacist to recommend an antacid. Contact your doctor if your symptoms continue for more than a few days or if they get worse.

Headaches

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It’s best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

Nosebleeds

If you get a nosebleed, sit down and lean forward, with your head tilted forward. Pinch your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes and breathe through your mouth. You could also try holding an icepack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on the top of your nose to help reduce the blood flow.

Sore throat

If you have a sore throat, try gargling with warm, salty water (children should not try this), or ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller to ease any pain or discomfort. Drink plenty of water, eat cool or soft foods, and avoid smoking or smoky places.

If the symptoms last longer than a week ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose or sneezing

Make sure you rest, keep yourself warm and drink plenty of fluids. Your pharmacist can recommend a suitable cold medicine and a decongestant spray or tablets to help relieve a blocked nose.

Constipation or farting (flatulence)

Try to eat smaller meals, eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Drinking peppermint tea can be helpful for farting. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run.

If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Diarrhoea

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.

If you take contraceptive pills and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

If this advice does not help and any of these side effects continue or bother you, keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Stop taking atorvastatin and contact 111 or call your doctor if:

• you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage
• the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin, or if you have pale poo and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
• you get a skin rash with pink or red blotches, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet – this could be a sign of erythema multiforme
• you have severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of acute pancreatitis
• you have a cough, feel short of breath, and are losing weight – this can be a sign of lung disease

Go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly increases the chance of you having side effects with atorvastatin, and liver problems.

If you think that atorvastatin is causing side effects and they’re making you want to stop taking it, talk to your doctor first. They may be caused by another problem and not the medicine. Your doctor may suggest lowering your dose or changing your medicine.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to atorvastatin.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• you’re wheezing
• you get tightness in the chest or throat
• you have trouble breathing or talking
• your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of atorvastatin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information.

Page last reviewed: 7 March 2022

Next review due: 7 March 2025

What they are and how to manage them

Lipitor is a brand-name prescription medication that’s prescribed to treat high cholesterol and related problems. Like many other drugs, Lipitor can cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.

Here are some fast facts on Lipitor:

• Active ingredient: atorvastatin
• Drug class: statin
• Drug form: tablets

If you and your doctor agree that Lipitor is working for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Lipitor, including details about its uses, see this article.

Lipitor can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lipitor in clinical trials:

• swelling and inflammation in nasal passages and back of the throat
• joint pain
• diarrhea
• pain in the arms or legs
• urinary tract infection (UTI)

Mild side effects can occur with Lipitor use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lipitor’s patient information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Lipitor include:

• swelling and inflammation in nasal passages and back of the throat
• joint pain
• diarrhea
• pain in the arms or legs
• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• upset stomach
• nausea
• muscle spasms
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• muscle pain or weakness*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Lipitor and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information on this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Lipitor may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lipitor’s patient information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lipitor, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (a condition in which your immune system attacks your muscle cells). Symptoms can include:
  • weakness in muscles close to the center of your body, such as those in your neck, forearms, shoulders, back, and thighs
  • trouble lifting your arms over your head
  • tiredness
  • difficulty climbing stairs or standing up from a chair
• Myopathy (a condition that causes muscle pain and weakness) and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue).*
• Abnormal liver function.*
• Allergic reaction.†

* For more information on this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Lipitor. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials of the drug.

Lipitor may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Lipitor cause eye-related side effects?

It’s possible, but very rare, that Lipitor could cause eye-related side effects.

In clinical trials, a very small number of people taking the drug had blurry vision as a side effect.

If you have blurry vision or eye-related side effects while you’re taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine what’s causing your symptoms. This could include other medications you take besides Lipitor.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend you stop taking Lipitor and use another drug for your condition.

Do Lipitor’s side effects vary based on its strength (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg)?

Lipitor’s side effects don’t vary based on the strength of the drug. However, some side effects happen more or less often depending on its strength.

For example, in clinical trials, people taking a lower dose such as 10 mg, were more likely to have swelling in their nasal passages and throat. This was compared with people taking the highest dose of 80 mg.

Additionally, joint pain was most commonly reported by people taking a 40-mg dose.

To see a list of how often certain side effects were reported based on the dose of Lipitor people took, view Lipitor’s patient information.

Can Lipitor cause any long-term side effects?

It’s possible for Lipitor to cause long-term side effects, but this is not common.

For instance, abnormal liver function is a serious but rare side effect of Lipitor. It’s possible that liver damage caused by the drug won’t go away over time.

Another very rare but serious side effect of Lipitor is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). This is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your muscle cells.

Studies have shown that sometimes IMNM caused by statin drugs can be successfully treated. (Keep in mind that Lipitor is a statin.) But medications for this condition have to be taken long term.

If you have additional questions about long-term side effects of Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the side effects of Crestor vs.

Lipitor?

Lipitor and Crestor are both statins, and they can cause similar side effects. Some side effects are more common with one medication than with the other, though.

Both Lipitor and Crestor can cause:

• muscle and joint pain
• nausea
• liver damage
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue)
• allergic reaction

These drugs can cause some different side effects, too. For instance, Lipitor is more likely to cause diarrhea. But Crestor is more likely to cause constipation.

To view a full comparison of Crestor and Lipitor, you can check out this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also provide more information.

Can Lipitor’s side effects include dizziness, cough, hair loss, or memory loss?

Dizziness, cough, hair loss, and memory loss weren’t reported by people taking Lipitor in clinical trials.

Since Lipitor was approved, there have been a few reports of people having memory loss. It’s important to note that memory loss has been reported with all statin drugs, which is the type of drug Lipitor is. And it usually goes away when the statin is stopped.

If you’re concerned about possible side effects from Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review with you the risks and benefits of this drug. And they’ll help you find the best treatment for your condition.

What are Lipitor’s side effects in males vs. in females?

Lipitor’s side effects didn’t differ between males and females during clinical trials.*

To view some of Lipitor’s side effects, see the sections above for lists of mild and serious ones. For a full list of side effects that the medication may cause, check out Lipitor’s patient information.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Does Lipitor treatment affect my blood pressure?

Changes in blood pressure weren’t reported in people taking Lipitor in clinical trials.

However, since the drug was approved, there have been a few studies looking at statins, including Lipitor. These studies showed that statins may slightly lower blood pressure.

It’s important to note that statin drugs, including Lipitor, aren’t approved to treat high blood pressure.

If you have questions or concerns about blood pressure and Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

In clinical trials, there weren’t differences in side effects reported in older adults taking Lipitor.

However, adults ages 65 years and older may have a higher risk of muscle problems from Lipitor. This includes muscle pain or weakness. And it applies to all statin drugs, including Lipitor.

If you’re an older adult and you’d like to know more about Lipitor’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review the risks and benefits of this medication.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Lipitor may cause.

Abnormal liver function

Although it’s not common, abnormal liver function is a possible serious side effect of Lipitor.

It was reported by people taking the drug during clinical trials. But this side effect has been reported with all statin medications. (Keep in mind that Lipitor is a statin.)

Most people with this side effect don’t have symptoms, besides changes in levels of liver enzymes on blood tests. But possible symptoms of liver damage can include:

• fatigue (low energy)
• weakness
• loss of appetite
• pain in your upper abdomen
• swelling in your belly, ankles, or legs
• urine that’s a darker color than usual
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes)

In extremely rare cases, serious liver injury and even liver failure has occurred with Lipitor.

Your risk of abnormal liver function increases with higher doses of Lipitor.

What you can do

Your doctor will likely check your liver function before you start taking Lipitor.

They may continue monitoring your liver function using blood tests while you’re taking the medication. This helps your doctor notice abnormal liver function before it becomes serious.

If you experience any symptoms of liver problems while you’re taking Lipitor, call your doctor right away. They’ll have you stop taking the drug. And they’ll check for possible causes of your symptoms.

If your doctor thinks that Lipitor is causing your symptoms, they’ll have you permanently stop taking the medication. And they’ll discuss other treatment options with you.

Muscle pain or weakness

It’s possible that you’ll have muscle pain or weakness with Lipitor. Most people who took the drug in clinical trials didn’t report these effects, though.

It’s important to note that muscle pain or weakness may be a sign of more serious side effects. These include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, which are discussed in more detail just below.

What you can do

Because muscle pain or weakness can be a sign of more serious side effects caused by Lipitor, it’s important to tell your doctor about them.

Tell your doctor right away if you have muscle pain or weakness that:

• happens without a reason, such as exercise
• doesn’t go away

Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis

Although it’s very rare, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in people taking Lipitor.

With myopathy you have muscle pain and weakness. And you also have high levels of a substance called creatinine kinase in your blood.

People with the following factors have a higher risk of myopathy with Lipitor:

• being age 65 years or older
• having untreated hypothyroidism
• having kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease
• taking other drugs that can also cause myopathy
• taking a higher dosage of Lipitor
• drinking more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice daily

Rhabdomyolysis is a severe and possibly life threatening muscle condition. It can lead to problems with your kidneys, including kidney failure. It usually requires treatment in a hospital.

Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can include:

• severe muscle pain and weakness
• nausea
• brown, red, or tea-colored urine
• loss of consciousness

What you can do

If you have muscle weakness or pain while you’re taking Lipitor, call your doctor right away. They can order lab tests to check your creatinine kinase levels.

Your doctor will have you stop taking Lipitor if they confirm you have myopathy as a side effect.

If you notice symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, immediately call your doctor or seek emergency medical help. Rhabdomyolysis is treatable. And its risks of long-term damage, and even death, increase if it’s not urgently treated.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Lipitor can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms may be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
• swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Lipitor. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lipitor. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include those listed below.

Liver problems. You should not take Lipitor if you have liver problems. People with liver problems have a higher risk of side effects from Lipitor, including serious ones such as myopathy. (With myopathy, you have muscle pain and weakness.) Your doctor can recommend safer treatments for your condition if you have liver problems.

Kidney problems. People with kidney problems may have a higher risk of myopathy if they take Lipitor. Tell your doctor if you have kidney issues. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Lipitor is safe for you.

Heavy alcohol use. Heavy alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, which is a possible side effect of Lipitor. People who consume large amounts of alcohol and take Lipitor may have an even higher risk of liver damage. If you have more than two alcoholic drinks daily, be sure to tell your doctor before you start taking Lipitor.

Untreated hypothyroidism. People with untreated hypothyroidism may have a higher risk of myopathy with Lipitor. Your doctor can help determine whether Lipitor is safe for you.

Recent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Taking Lipitor within 6 months of having a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) can increase your risk of hemorrhagic stroke. (A TIA is also called a ministroke.) With a hemorrhagic stroke, you have bleeding in your brain. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Lipitor is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. You should not take Lipitor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Lipitor or any of its ingredients. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments are better choices for you.

Alcohol use with Lipitor

There isn’t a direct interaction between consuming alcohol and taking Lipitor.

However, both alcohol and Lipitor can cause liver damage. Combining the two can increase your risk of this side effect, especially if you consume two or more alcoholic drinks daily.

Before you start taking Lipitor, it’s important to tell your doctor if you consume alcohol. They can advise you on how much, if any, is safe for you to drink while you’re taking Lipitor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Lipitor

You should not take Lipitor while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Studies have shown that statin drugs, such as Lipitor, can harm a pregnancy. If you’re able to become pregnant, you’ll need to use effective birth control while taking Lipitor.

It’s not known whether Lipitor passes into breast milk. But it could cause serious side effects in a breastfed child if it does.

Talk with your doctor if you’re planning on becoming pregnant before you begin treatment with Lipitor. If you’re taking Lipitor and become pregnant, immediately stop taking the drug and call your doctor.

Like most medications, Lipitor may cause side effects.

Most side effects caused by Lipitor are mild and typically go away on their own. However, there are some rare but serious side effects reported by people using the drug in clinical trials. These include myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver damage.

Also, it’s very important that you immediately stop taking Lipitor and contact your doctor if you become pregnant while taking it.

If you’d like to learn more about Lipitor and its side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about this drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information on Lipitor. For details on other aspects of Lipitor, refer to this article.
• Drug comparison. To learn how Lipitor compares with Crestor, read this article.
• Dosage. For information about the dosage of Lipitor, view this article.
• Interactions. To find out about Lipitor’s interactions, see this article.
• A look at your condition. For details about cholesterol, see our list of related articles. To learn more about cardiovascular disease, our cardiovascular health hub and this list of related articles may be helpful.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Lipitor, 80 mg tablets, 30 pcs,

Composition

Atorvastatin, excipients.

Pharmacological action

Hypolipidemic.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Pharmacodynamics

The drug belongs to the group statins . It acts selectively and competitively with respect to the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase , converting coenzyme A into mevalonic acid , which belongs to the precursor of sterols, including cholesterol. In the liver cholesterol and TG are incorporated into VLDL, after which they enter the bloodstream and are transported to peripheral tissues. In the future, VLDL is transformed into LDL.

Lipitor significantly reduces the content of cholesterol and lipoproteins in the blood of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia , not amenable to treatment with lipid-lowering drugs. The drug does not have a carcinogenic and mutagenic effect.

Pharmacokinetics

Lipitor is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, Cmax in the blood is reached after 2 hours. Relative bioavailability – 95%. Metabolized in the liver with the participation of CYP3A4 to pharmacologically active ortho / para-hydroxylated metabolites. Eliminated with bile.

Indications for use

• Primary hypercholesterolemia various types, mixed hyperlipidemia ;
• As a dietary supplement for homo/heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia ;
• In diseases of the cardiovascular system, accompanied by dyslipidemia ;
• To prevent myocardial infarction and reduce the risk of death.

Contraindications

High sensitivity to Lipitor, liver disease with severe dysfunction, pregnancy, lactation. Take with caution in patients with electrolyte imbalance, arterial hypotension , with acute infections, alcoholism, convulsive syndrome, surgical interventions.

Side effects

Nausea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, emotional lability, insomnia, asthenia , dizziness, headache, drowsiness, malaise, peripheral neuropathy ataxia , paresthesia , hyperesthesia , hyperkinesis , depression, loss of consciousness, disturbance of accommodation, glaucoma, conjunctival dryness, tinnitus, loss of taste, postural hypotension, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, vasodilatation , phlebitis , palpitations, migraine, anemia , thrombocytopenia , rhinitis, bronchitis, pancreatitis, anorexia , flatulence , leg muscle cramps, myalgia , bursitis, myositis, muscular hypertension, arthralgia , joint contractures, peripheral edema, impotence, vaginal bleeding, decreased libido , nephritis , epididymitis, increased sweating, eczema, alopecia, seborrhea, photosensitivity , hyperglycemia , albuminuria, weight gain.

Lipitor instructions for use (Method and dosage)

Lipitor tablets are taken orally, regardless of the meal time, at any time of the day. The initial dosage is 10 mg 1 time per day. The maximum daily dose is 80 mg. Treatment should be carried out against the background of compliance with the hypocholesterolemic diet .

Overdose

When taking the drug in high doses, liver dysfunction and development of rhabdomyolysis .

Interaction

The use of cytochrome CYP3A4 inhibitors leads to an increase in the concentration of the active substance in the blood. The risk of myopathy increases when administered with cyclosporine, erythromycin, fibrates , clarithromycin, antifungal azoles, nicotinamide. For example, the appointment of itraconazole entails an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin by 3 times, with erythromycin – by 40%.

With the simultaneous administration of digoxin, its concentration increases by 20%. The concentration of oral contraceptives also increases.

Antacids containing magnesium and aluminum reduce concentration, but this does not affect the reduction of cholesterol levels .

Conditions of sale

Prescription.

Storage conditions

Temperature up to 25°C.

Shelf life

2 years.

Brand:

Phizer

Brand:

GERMANY

Active ingredient ENG:

atorvastatin

Barcode: 9000 5

8699532095541

Video playback:

What helps, side effects, composition

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED.For the heart and vessels statin: composition

According to the statistics tick of the World Health Organization, the first position in the list of ten leading causes of death are occupied by cardiovascular diseases. Few people know that one of the main factors in the development of heart and vascular diseases is an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. To avoid the risk of violations, a special group of drugs is used – statins. One of these drugs will be discussed in the article.

Anna Sumenkova, a pharmacist, will talk about Atorvastatin: introduce its composition, rules of administration, side effects, and compare it with analogues.

Atorvastatin: Composition

Atorvastatin tablets based on the active ingredient of the same name in dosages of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg. The drug is produced by many manufacturers, as well as as part of complex preparations, so it is impossible to derive a single composition of auxiliary agents. The drug can be found under trade names:

• Atoris
• Vasator
• Liprimar
• Tulip

The pharmacist says: “Atorvastatin is usually prescribed by general practitioners and cardiologists as part of the complex treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, when they come to the pharmacy to buy prescribed drugs, people ask a logical question: what do Atorvastatin tablets help with.

Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent. In other words, the drug reduces the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood. Due to this, it is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and reduce the risk of complications of heart and vascular diseases. For example, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Atorvastatin before or after meals

Atorvastatin tablets are taken by mouth regardless of food intake. It is important to note that before and during the use of the drug, it is recommended to follow a diet: minimize fat intake and completely abandon butter and palm oil.

If you ask about the compatibility of Atorvastatin and alcohol, then the answer will be ambiguous. The intake of alcoholic beverages is not contraindicated when using the drug. However, abuse of Atorvastatin is not recommended, as active liver disease and elevated liver enzymes are on the list of contraindications. Therefore, it is important to be careful when taking medication and alcohol-containing drinks together.

Atorvastatin: side effects

• Nasopharyngitis – inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and pharynx
• Allergic reactions: urticaria, pruritus
• Increase or decrease in blood glucose
• Headache
• The appearance of a “veil” before the eyes
• Tinnitus
• Sore throat and epistaxis
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Nausea
• Inflammation of the liver
• Pain in muscles, joints and limbs
• Increased liver enzymes

Rosuvastatin or Atorvastatin: which is better

Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin belong to the same group of medicines – statins, but to different generations. Atorvastatin is an earlier drug belonging to the third generation of drugs, while Rosuvastatin is the fourth – more modern. Therefore, the activity of Rosuvastatin against “bad” cholesterol is higher. So, Rosuvastatin is effective in doses from 5 mg to 40 mg, and Atorvastatin from 10 mg to 80 mg.

Rosuvastatin also causes fewer side effects. However, its cost is higher. Only a doctor can replace Atorvastatin with Rosuvastatin.

All products Rosuvastatin

20 reviews

Liprimar or Atorvastatin: which is better

Liprimar is an original American drug, the active ingredient of which is Atorvastatin. Other Atorvastatin preparations have been replicated based on Liprimar’s evidence base.

The drugs are similar: they have identical indications for use, dosages, contraindications, and are well tolerated by the body. Substituting one drug for another can be done at the pharmacy based on personal preference and affordability.

All products Liprimar

8 reviews

Atorvastatin or Atoris: which is better

Atoris is another drug with Atorvastatin as the active substance. Produced in Slovenia in dosages of 10 and 20 mg. The situation is similar with Liprimar: the drugs are similar in all therapeutic parameters.

Atoris disadvantage: no 40mg dosage, causing patients requiring higher dosages to take more tablets. For example, if you need the highest dose of 80 mg, you will have to drink 8 tablets of 10 mg or 4 tablets of 20 mg.

All products Atorvastatin

22 reviews

All products Atoris

20 reviews

Summary

• Atorvastatin – tablets based on the active substance of the same name in a dosage of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg.
• Atorvastatin reduces the content of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.
• Atorvastatin tablets are taken by mouth with or without food.
• Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin belong to the same group of drugs – statins, but they belong to different generations.
• The activity of Rosuvastatin against “bad” cholesterol is higher.
• Liprimar is an original American drug, the active ingredient of which is Atorvastatin.