Allina Health

Atorvastatin (a-tor-va-STAT-in)

Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Lowers the risk of chest pain, stroke, heart attack, or certain heart and blood vessel problems in people who have certain risk factors. This medicine is an HMG-CoA inhibitor, also called a statin.

Brand Name(s):

Lipitor

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine at the same time each day.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about diet and exercise. This medicine is part of a complete plan for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.However, do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you also use birth control pills, cimetidine (Tagamet®), colchicine (Colcrys®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), niacin (Vitamin B3), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), spironolactone (Aldactone®), telaprevir (Incivek?), an antibiotic (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, Biaxin®, or Ery-Tab®), medicine to treat fungus infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), medicine to treat HIV infection (such as atazanavir, darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir/saquinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir/ritonavir, Kaletra®, or Viracept®), or other medicine for lowering cholesterol (such as fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, Lopid®, or Tricor®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicines that weaken your immune system, such as a steroid or cancer medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you usually drink more than 2 glasses alcohol per day.
• Do not drink more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice each day.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, diabetes, a muscle disorder, thyroid problems, or recently had a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or if you drink alcohol on a regular basis.
• Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called myopathy.
• Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have major surgery or a major injury.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach
• Unexplained fever
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Confusion or problems with memory
• Diarrhea
• Muscle spasms
• Pain in the joints, arms, or legs
• Stuffy or runny nose

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088