Generic Name: atorvastatin (a-tor-va-STAT-in). If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking atorvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. Keep from freezing. These drugs are often used to … Atorvastatin is a dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is a member of the drug class known as statins, used primarily for lowering blood cholesterol and for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol can increase the risk of serious side effects. Liver enzymes, elevated—Should not be used in patients with these conditions. tell your doctor if you have liver disease. What side effects can this medication cause? In addition to atorvastatin, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Using atorvastatin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. These could be symptoms of serious muscle problems, such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). May cause side effects to become worse. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. Using atorvastatin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Using atorvastatin while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Looking for info on Atorvastatin (trade name - Lipitor) We have the Indications, Actions, Therapeutic Class, Pharmacologic Class and Nursing Considerations. Is Repatha (evolocumab) effective without a statin? You should not become pregnant while you are taking atorvastatin. Swallow the tablet whole. Convulsions (seizures), not well-controlled or. Take atorvastatin exactly as directed. Pharmacologic Class: HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor. What special dietary instructions should I follow? pain in the upper right part of the stomach, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. Atorvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using atorvastatin. Lowering \"bad\" cholesterol and triglycerides and r… Your doctor may start you on a low dose of atorvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 2 to 4 weeks. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. Atorvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Take atorvastatin only as directed by your doctor. Liver disease, history—Use with caution. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. These could be symptoms of liver damage. Pharmacologic Class: HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor. While some cholesterol is necessary for the body, too much cholesterol is dangerous to your health. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related muscle problems, which may require caution in patients receiving atorvastatin. do not breast-feed while you are taking this medication. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is available only with your doctor's prescription. Atorvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Pharmacologic Class: HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor. However, the dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day. Avoid drinking large amounts [more than 1.2 liter (approximately 1 quart) per day] of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. © Copyright, 2020. Adults—At first, 10 or 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Atorvastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. However, do not take 2 doses of atorvastatin within 12 hours. Do not double doses. Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol … Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Are Statin Side Effects 'All in Your Head'? We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take atorvastatin if you have or have had liver disease or if the tests show you may be developing liver disease. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking atorvastatin. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Take atorvastatin at the same time each day. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using atorvastatin. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with atorvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. The following information includes only the average doses of atorvastatin. Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a drug in the statin drug classed prescribed to patients to lower blood cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, elevate HDL cholesterol, to prevent angina, stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, revascularization procedures in heart disease, and prevent heart attacks, and strokes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will order laboratory tests to see how well your liver is working even if you do not think you have liver disease. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Children 10 to 17 years of age—At first, 10 mg once a day. You may need to stop using atorvastatin if you have a major surgery, major injury, or you develop other serious health problems. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 liters each day) while you take atorvastatin may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, the dose is usually not more than 80 mg per day. It has a role as an environmental contaminant and a xenobiotic. If you are hospitalized due to serious injury or infection, tell the doctor who treats you that you are taking atorvastatin. Other people can not consume them may require caution in patients receiving atorvastatin vessel in. Do so also visit the National cholesterol Education Program ( NCEP ) for. Have liver disease progress at regular visits it at room temperature, away atorvastatin drug class... 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