What if I take too much? Taking an extra dose of atorvastatin by accident is unlikely to harm you. Common side effects These common side effects of atorvastatin happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: feeling sick nausea or indigestion headaches aches and pains in your back and joints nosebleeds sore throat cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose or sneezing constipation or wind diarrhoea Report any unexplained muscle aches and pains, tenderness or weakness to a doctor straight away.
Serious side effects Serious side effects when taking atorvastatin are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people. Stop taking atorvastatin and call a doctor if you get: muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps - these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or if you have pale poo and dark pee - this can be a sign of liver problems a skin rash with pink-red blotches, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet severe stomach pain - this can be a sign of pancreas problems a cough, feeling short of breath, and weight loss - this can be a sign of lung disease Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to atorvastatin.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: 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.
Do not 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. You may need a blood test to check what might be causing it. You can also ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. If the symptoms last longer than a week ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
If the symptoms return when you stop taking the painkillers ask your doctor for advice. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this doesn't help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. Watch this short video about how to treat constipation. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Atorvastatin and breastfeeding It's not known if atorvastatin gets into breast milk, but it may cause problems for your baby.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Medicines that may not mix well with atorvastatin include: some antibiotics and antifungals some HIV medicines some hepatitis C medicines warfarin stops blood clotting ciclosporin treats psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis colchicine a medicine for gout contraceptive pills verapamil, diltiazem , amlodipine for high blood pressure and heart problems amiodarone makes your heart stable If you're taking atorvastatin and need to take one of these medicines, your doctor may: prescribe a lower dose of atorvastatin prescribe a different statin medicine recommend that you stop taking atorvastatin for a while These are not all the medicines that can interfere with atorvastatin.
Mixing atorvastatin with herbal remedies and supplements St John's wort, a herbal medicine taken for depression , reduces the amount of atorvastatin in your blood, so it doesn't work as well. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does atorvastatin work? How long do statins take to work? How long will I take atorvastatin for?
Are statins safe? Is it safe to take atorvastatin for a long time? Statins have been used for nearly 30 years to lower cholesterol. Is atorvastatin addictive? What will happen if I come off it? Does it help to take supplements together with statins?
Will taking atorvastatin increase my risk of diabetes? How does it compare with other medicines for high cholesterol? There are several other statin medicines for lowering your cholesterol, including: fluvastatin pravastatin rosuvastatin simvastatin If you have a side effect with one statin, it may not happen with another.
Can I drive or ride a bike? Yes, you can drive or cycle while taking atorvastatin. Will it reduce my fertility? Your doctor may want to decrease your dose or try a different statin. Never stop taking a statin without talking to your doctor first. However, studies comparing statins to a fake pill placebo have found a very small difference in the number of people reporting muscle aches between the groups. Also, ask your doctor if the statin you use will interact with any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs or supplements you take.
When thinking about whether you should take statins for high cholesterol, ask yourself these questions:. It's important to consider your medical reasons, personal values, lifestyle choices and any concerns when choosing a treatment. Talk to your doctor about your total risk of heart and blood vessel disease and personal preferences before making a decision about statin therapy. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff. With some statins, drinking grapefruit juice, or eating grapefruit, is a bad idea. Grapefruit juice can cause that statin to stay in your body much longer, and the drug can build up. This can increase the risk of muscle breakdown, liver damage, and even kidney failure. Statins can also interact with other medications, so tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. That includes supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs.
Statins can be effective in getting your cholesterol under control, but they come with risks. Some common side effects include muscle and joint aches, nausea, and headache. Serious risks include damage to your muscles, kidneys, and liver. If you have type 2 diabetes, statins may increase your blood sugar levels.
Sometimes, switching to another statin can help. While statins can be very effective in lowering LDL cholesterol, you can also manage your cholesterol using alternative treatments or through lifestyle modifications. Diet plays an important role in blood cholesterol levels. Your diet should be packed with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish. Try to reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, and increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
You should also go easy on salt and refined carbohydrates. The body breaks down fluvastatin Lescol , lovastatin generic, Mevacor , pravastatin generic, Pravachol , and simvastatin generic, Zocor fairly quickly. So taking them in the evening ensures that you have enough medicine on board when you need it the most. Two other statins, atorvastatin Lipitor and rosuvastatin Crestor aren't broken down as readily, so you can take them any time.
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