Following consultation, a You Health provider determined that atorvastatin is medically appropriate and necessary for your treatment.

Atorvastatin

The following provides a medication overview of atorvastatin, how the active ingredient works, and how to effectively and safely use it to support your cardiovascular health. You will also receive a physical document called a medication guide or patient drug information in the package with your medication when it arrives from the pharmacy, which contains full information about atorvastatin. Please read all of the information, specific to the medication(s) you were prescribed, before taking your medication. If you’re not sure which medication you were prescribed, please reference the label on your prescription bottle or contact a member of your Care Team.

In this medication overview you will find more information for the following:

Usage
How to get the most out of your treatment
Side Effects
What to look out for when using your treatment
Warnings
Important safety information

Usage

To get started, review the directions on your prescription label and follow your provider's dosing instructions.

How does atorvastatin work?
Atorvastatin works by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. Lowering LDL reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for revascularization procedures (procedures that restore blood flow).
How should I take/use atorvastatin?
Take atorvastatin calcium tablets orally once daily at any time of the day, with or without food.
What if I miss a dose of atorvastatin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses of atorvastatin at the same time.
What should I expect during treatment with atorvastatin/How to get the most out of treatment?
You might not feel any different right away when you start taking atorvastatin—and that is normal. Rather, atorvastatin works quietly in the background, helping to protect your cardiovascular health over time. Consistent adherence to the use of atorvastatin, along with heart-healthy lifestyle changes, can help reduce cardiovascular risks to your health. Regular monitoring of your health, including cholesterol levels, helps make sure you are getting the most out of atorvastatin therapy.
Can I drink alcohol while using atorvastatin?
While alcohol use does not have to be completely avoided, it is generally recommended to limit alcohol to moderate drinking while using atorvastatin tablets. Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for liver injury.
Can I take cannabis while taking this medication?
Cannabis can inhibit the metabolism of atorvastatin, potentially leading to higher levels of this medication in the body and a higher risk of muscle damage. It is not recommended to use cannabis while taking atorvastatin.

Side Effects

Common side effects of atorvastatin may include:
- Nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat
- Joint pain, pain in extremity, muscle spasms
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, upset stomach
- Urinary tract infection
- Trouble sleeping
Rare but serious side effects:
- Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness (myopathy). Muscle problems, including muscle breakdown, can be serious in some people and, rarely, cause kidney damage that can lead to death.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have:
- unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual while you are taking atorvastatin
- muscle problems that do not go away after your healthcare provider has told you to stop taking atorvastatin. Your healthcare provider may do further tests to diagnose the cause of your muscle problems.
Your chances of getting muscle problems are higher if you:
- are taking certain other medicines while you take atorvastatin
- drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (5 or more glasses)
- are 65 years of age or older
- have thyroid problems (hypothyroidism) that are not controlled
- have kidney problems
- are taking higher doses of atorvastatin
- Liver problems. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking atorvastatin and if you have symptoms of liver problems while you are taking atorvastatin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:
  - feel unusually tired or weak
  - loss of appetite
  - upper belly pain
  - dark urine
  - yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
- Increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels. Atorvastatin calcium may cause an increase in your blood sugar levels
If you notice any of these side effects, stop taking the medication and seek urgent medical care.
These are not all the side effects of atorvastatin. For more information, read the drug information that comes with your medication, ask your healthcare provider, or ask your pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You are encouraged to report all side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my cholesterol is normal now, do I still need to take my statin?
Yes. Your cholesterol levels are likely well controlled due to your statin therapy. Managing cholesterol is typically a long-term strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk. Statins work by continuously lowering “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and helping stabilize plaque in your arteries. Their protective benefit continues only while you are taking them. If you stop taking your statin, your cholesterol levels may rise again, often quickly within just 4 days, and protection against heart attacks and strokes disappears.

Warnings

Who should not take atorvastatin?
- have liver problems, such as alcohol-related liver disease, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
- are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant
- are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed
- are allergic, or have had an anaphylactic reaction to atorvastatin calcium, or to any of the following inactive ingredients in atorvastatin calcium: calcium carbonate, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, Opadry White YS-1-7040 (hypromelose, macrogol, titanium dioxide and talc), and polysorbate 80
  - Stop using atorvastatin and get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including:
    swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
    problems breathing or swallowing
    fainting or feeling dizzy
    very rapid heartbeat
    severe skin rash or itching
    flu-like symptoms including fever, sore throat, cough, tiredness, and joint pain
Before you take atorvastatin, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have unexplained muscle aches or weakness
- drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily
- have diabetes
- have thyroid problems
- have kidney problems
- had a stroke
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Atorvastatin calcium may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking atorvastatin calcium and contact your care team right away
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines for:
- your immune system (cyclosporine)
- your blood pressure (verapamil)
- high cholesterol (gemfibrozil, lomitapide)
- infections (erythromycin, clarithromycin, daptomycin, rifampin, fusidic acid, ceftobiprole, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole)
- low platelets (eltrombopag)
- chronic graft-verses-host disease (belmosudil)
- prostate cancer (darolutamide)
- paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (danicopan)
- primary IgA nephropathy (sparsentan)
- non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (resmetirom)
- APDS (leniolisib)
- melanoma, lung cancer, and colon cancer (encorafenib)
- Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (lonafarnib)
- immune thrombocytopenia (rilzabrutinib)
- symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor (vimseltinib)
- birth control pills
- heart failure (digoxin)
- gout (colchicine)
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sodium phenyl butyrate and taurursodiol)
- multiple sclerosis (teriflunomide)
- cardiomyopathy (tafamidis)
- cancer of the colon and rectum (regorafenib)
- anemia in individuals with chronic kidney disease (vadadustat)
- niacin
- red yeast rice
- St. John’s Wort
- fibrates (fenofibrate,bezafibrate, ciprofibrate)
- treating HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis C (anti-virals) with the following medication or combined medications:
  - tipranavir
  - ritonavir
  - cobicistat
  - tipranavir/ritonavir
  - glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
  - ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
  - simeprevir
  - saquinavir
  - saquinavir/ ritonavir
  - darunavir
  - darunavir/ ritonavir
  - darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide
  - elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide
  - atazanavir
  - atazanavir/ritonavir
  - atazanavir/cobicistat
  - darunavir/cobicistat
  - fosamprenavir
  - fosamprenavir/ritonavir
  - elbasvir/grazoprevir
  - elbasvir/letermovir
  - sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
  - sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir
  - ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
  - letermovir
  - nelfinavir
  - fostemsavir
  - lopinav
  - tipranavir
  - ritonavir
  - cobicistat
  - tipranavir/ritonavir
  - glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
  - ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
  - simeprevir
  - saquinavir
  - saquinavir/ ritonavir
  - darunavir
  - darunavir/ ritonavir
  - darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide
  - elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide
  - atazanavir
  - atazanavir/ritonavir
  - atazanavir/cobicistat
  - darunavir/cobicistat
  - fosamprenavir
  - fosamprenavir/ritonavir
  - elbasvir/grazoprevir
  - elbasvir/letermovir
  - sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
  - sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir
  - ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
  - letermovir
  - nelfinavir
  - fostemsavir
  - lopinav
Certain medications can raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Because of this, it’s important to talk with your primary care provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
- Glucocorticoids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone)
- Retinoids (isotretinoin, acitretin, bexarotene)
- Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide)
- Beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol)
- Atypical antipsychotics (such as olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
- Progestogens (medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, levonorgestrel)
- Oral estrogens (ethinyl estradiol, conjugated estrogens)
- Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)
Statins may raise blood sugar levels in some people with prediabetes or diabetes. If you have prediabetes or diabetes, let your primary care provider know that you have started a statin so your blood sugar can be monitored more closely.
Medication disposal
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
- Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
- Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
- Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
- Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
KEEP ATORVASTATIN TABLETS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
This is only a summary of the most important information about atorvastatin.
Need more information? Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
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