Lipitor is a member of a group called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins.
This medicine decreases the level of LDL (bad cholesterols) and triglyceride (fats) in the blood by inhibiting the enzyme that produces the cholesterol in the body.
This can also lower your risk to develop certain cardiovascular diseases. This product is available in a tablet.
Before using Lipitor, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to atorvastatin or to any other medications. Inform your healthcare providers as well if you are allergic to foods, dyes, or animals.
This medicine is appropriate for use in children, adolescents, adults, and elderly. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than in children younger than 10 years of age.
The use of this medication in elderly requires caution as they are more likely to have age-related muscle problems.
Pregnancy category X - Do not use atorvastatin if you are pregnant or expecting a baby because this medication can cause fetal abnormalities.
There are no adequate studies whether atorvastatin can pass through breast milk or if it could cause harmful effects to the infant. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Taking this medicine with Posaconazole is not recommended and you may not be required to use this medication. Otherwise, alternative medicine may be prescribed for your other medications.
Taking this medicine with any of the following medications is usually not recommended, but with the exception in some cases.
Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.
Taking this medicine with any of the following medications may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.
Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.
Amiodarone
Amprenavir
Azithromycin
Bexarotene
Black Cohosh
Boceprevir
Bosentan
Clopidogrel
Digoxin
Efavirenz
Eltrombopag
Etravirine
Fosphenytoin
Interferon Beta
Oat Bran
Pectin
Phenytoin
Pioglitazone
Quinine
Rifampin
St John's Wort
Voriconazole
Some medical conditions can interact with this medication.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
Elevated liver enzymes — Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
3 Proper Usage
To use Lipitor properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.
Take atorvastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Excessive use of medication is not recommended.
Your diet may be changed to low-fat and low-cholesterol diet to help this medication take full effect.
This medication must be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it unless your doctor told you to do so. You may take this medicine with or without food.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are under this medication. Drinking alcohol with atorvastatin may increase your risk to liver damage.
Avoid drinking large amounts of grape juice if you are taking atorvastatin. Doing so can increase your risk of serious muscle and kidney problems.
Recommended dosage:
Adults — starting dose 10 or 20 mg/day. You may need to start at 40 mg/day depending on the case. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor up to 80 mg per day.
Children 10 to 17 years of age — starting dose is 10 mg once a day. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor up to 80 mg per day.
Children younger than 10 years of age — Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is near for your next dose, skip the missed dose and start again to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Store the medication in a cool and dry place.
Keep it away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep out of reach of children. Do not keep expired medications.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Lipitor, there are some precautions you must take.
Your doctor will be checking you regularly to monitor the effectiveness of the medication. Blood tests may be ordered for undesirable effects.
Contraceptives must be used to keep you or your partner from getting pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you think you have become pregnant while using this medication.
This medicine may cause immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Check with your doctor if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
This medicine may cause kidney problems. Check with your doctor if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
This medicine may cause liver damage. Check with your doctor if you have a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin.
Tell your doctor first that you are using this medication before undergoing any medical procedures. Do not take any other medication without discussing it first with your doctor.
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