Atorvastatin

U.S. Brand Names

Lipitor®

Canadian Brand Names

Lipitor®

Mexican Brand Names

Lipitor

Pharmacologic Category

Antilipemic Agent, HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to atorvastatin or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Active liver disease or increase in liver enzymes.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent heart attacks.

• This medicine is used to prevent strokes.

• This medicine is used to lower cholesterol and other harmful types of cholesterol in the body. Good cholesterol (HDL) levels increase.

• This medicine is used to decrease triglycerides.

• This medicine is used to slow the progress of heart disease.

How does it work?

• Atorvastatin reduces cholesterol production.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Do not take colestipol or cholestyramine within 4 hours of this medicine.

• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

• Avoid or limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor) to less than 3 drinks a day. Drinking too much alcohol may increase the risk of liver disease.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Diarrhea.

• Muscle weakness.

• Joint pain.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work (cholesterol panel, liver function). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe muscle pain or weakness.

• Flu-like symptoms.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Yellow skin or eyes.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 10:47:44.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:11:17.0

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