

Avoid drinking more than 1 liter per day of grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with atorvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-80. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.ĭetailed Atorvastatin dosage information What happens if I miss a dose? Follow your doctor's instructions very closely. You may need to take atorvastatin for a long time or for life depending on your medical history.Ītorvastatin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with this medicine.

You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but keep using the medication as directed. It may take up to 2 weeks before your cholesterol levels improve, and you may need regular blood tests. You may need to stop using this medicine for a short time if you have:Īn electrolyte imbalance (such as high or low potassium levels in your blood) Take the medicine at the same time each day.ĭo not break a tablet before taking it, unless your doctor has told you to. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.Ītorvastatin is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Take atorvastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).Ītorvastatin is approved for use in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.Ītorvastatin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail) How should I take atorvastatin? If you drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages daily.Ītorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.Ītorvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. You should not use atorvastatin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:Ītorvastatin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Related/similar drugs rosuvastatin, simvastatin, Lipitor, ezetimibe, fenofibrate, Crestor, pravastatin Before taking this medicine Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Atorvastatin will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.Ītorvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.Īvoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using. Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with atorvastatin. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. You should not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease. Last updated on Sep 30, 2021.Ītorvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins."Ītorvastatin 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).Ītorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg 20 mg 40 mg 80 mg)
