What is Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin
blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in your
body.
Atorvastatin
is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total
cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein
B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Atorvastatin
is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol
in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the
risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart
attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Atorvastatin
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Atorvastatin
Do not take Atorvastatin without first talking to
your doctor if you have liver disease.
Alcohol and
Atorvastatin can both damage your liver. Discuss with your
doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can
be determined if Atorvastatin is the best choice for lowering
your cholesterol.
Do not take Atorvastatin if you
are pregnant, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you
are breast-feeding a baby.
Contact your doctor immediately
if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or
weakness, especially if it is accompanied by a fever or
flulike symptoms or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Who should not take Atorvastatin Do not take Atorvastatin without first talking to
your doctor if you have liver disease.
Before taking
Atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you - drink alcoholic
beverages, - have a chronic muscular disease, -
require major surgery, or - have a blood disorder.
You may not be able to take Atorvastatin, or you
may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Atorvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X.
This means that Atorvastatin will cause birth defects if
it is taken during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important
for the proper development of a baby. Do not take Atorvastatin
if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.
It is not known whether Atorvastatin passes into breast
milk. Do not take this medication without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Atorvastatin Take Atorvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Atorvastatin can
be taken with or without food.
Atorvastatin is usually
taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time
each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Your
doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood
tests before starting treatment with Atorvastatin, at twelve
weeks after both the start of your treatment and any increase
in dose, and periodically (every 6 months) thereafter. Depending
on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine
how much monitoring you will require.
Grapefruit
and grapefruit juice may interact with Atorvastatin. The
interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects.
Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with
your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit
products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial
effects from Atorvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol
foods.
Do not stop taking Atorvastatin without first
talking to your doctor. It may be weeks or months before
beneficial effects are seen from this medication.
Store Atorvastatin at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
The symptoms
of an overdose of Atorvastatin are not known.
Avoid while taking Atorvastatin Alcohol and Atorvastatin can both damage your liver.
Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you
drink so that it can be determined if Atorvastatin is the
best choice for lowering your cholesterol.
Grapefruit
and grapefruit juice may interact with Atorvastatin. The
interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects.
Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with
your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit
products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Atorvastatin If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Atorvastatin and seek emergency medical
attention or call your doctor immediately: - an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); -
muscle aches, pain, or weakness; - "flu-like"
symptoms; - decreased urine or rust-colored urine;
- blurred vision; or - yellowing of your skin
or eyes.
Other, less serious side effects may be
more likely to occur. Continue to take Atorvastatin and
talk to your doctor if you experience - headache;
- upset stomach or flatulence; or - a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also
occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems
unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Atorvastatin Do not take Atorvastatin without first talking to
your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); - gemfibrozil
(Lopid); - niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others);
- clarithromycin (Biaxin); - erythromycin
(E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Ilotycin, Eryc, PCE, Ilosone,
others); or - fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole
(Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
The medications
listed above interact with Atorvastatin and may cause damage
your muscles.
Before taking Atorvastatin, tell your
doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine
(Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or - digoxin
(Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).
You may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking
any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Atorvastatin.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |