Atorvastatin is (Lipitor) belong to a group of drugs known as statin used for the treatment of elevated total cholesterol,triglycerides, LDL,and to elevate HDL cholesterol.
- Atorvastatin is also used to treat 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 only comes in the form of a tablet.
Atorvastatin Side Effects:
Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.
More common side effects
Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:
- Forgetfulness
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Joint pain
- Cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
confusion
Serious side effects
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Liver problems. Symptoms can include:Tiredness or weakness,Loss of appetite,Upper stomach pain,Dark-colored urine,Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
tiredness
Precautions
- Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
- Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with atorvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.
- This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Atorvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication.
- Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
Doses:
- Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease,Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa (Elevated LDL),Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIb (Elevated LDL + VLDL),Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III (Elevated beta-VLDL + IDL),Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV (Elevated VLDL),Hyperlipidemia,Hypertriglyceridemia,And Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
Initial dose of 10 mg or 20 mg orally per day; an initial dose of 40 mg may be used in patients who require a reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) of more than 45% then Maintenance dose of 10 mg to 80 mg orally per day.
- Usual Adult Dose for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia,
10 mg to 80 mg orally once a day - Usual Pediatric Dose for Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
10 to 17 years: 10 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg/day.