Lipitor

Generic Name: atorvastatin (a TOR va sta tin)

Brand Names: Lipitor

What is Lipitor?

Lipitor is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.

Lipitor reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.

Lipitor is used to treat high cholesterol. Lipitor is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Lipitor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Lipitor

In rare cases, Lipitor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

Before taking Lipitor, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, underactive thyroid, kidney disease, a muscle disorder, or a history of liver disease.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lipitor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lipitor. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Lipitor.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Lipitor. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Before taking Lipitor

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to atorvastatin, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have liver disease.

Before taking Lipitor, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• diabetes
  
  


• underactive thyroid
  
  


• kidney disease


• a history of liver diseaseor


• a muscle disorder
  
  

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Lipitor.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use Lipitor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether atorvastatin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take Lipitor without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Lipitor is not for use in children younger than 10 years of age.

How should I take Lipitor?

Take Lipitor exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Lipitor with a full glass of water. This medication can be taken with or without food.

Lipitor is usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

In rare cases, Lipitor can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This condition can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor at once if you have unexplained muscle pain or tenderness, muscle weakness, fever or flu symptoms, and dark colored urine.

Lipitor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

You may need to take Lipitor on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.

Store Lipitor at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Lipitor is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking Lipitor?

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lipitor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lipitor. Alcohol can raise triglyceride levels, and may also damage your liver while you are taking Lipitor.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Lipitor side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Lipitor and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms; or
  
  


• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
  
  

Less serious Lipitor side effects may include:

• mild nausea or stomach pain, stomach upset, heartburn;
  
  


• constipation, bloating, gas;
  
  


• stuffy nose;
  
  


• itching, skin rash; or
  
  


• headache.
  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.