Atorvastatin/Lipitor 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/Lipitor 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/Lipitor may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I OVERDOSE?
The symptoms of an
atorvastatin/Lipitor overdose are not known.
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
WHAT SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH MY DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING Lipitor/Atorvastatin?
Do not take
atorvastatin/Lipitor without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease.
Atorvastatin/Lipitor is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that
atorvastatin/Lipitor is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take
atorvastatin/Lipitor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether
atorvastatin/Lipitor passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Before taking
atorvastatin/Lipitor , tell your doctor if you
have a chronic muscular disease,
require major surgery, or
drink alcoholic beverages,
have a blood disorder.
You may not be able to take
atorvastatin/Lipitor , or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
WHAT SHOULD I AVOID WHILE TAKING Lipitor/Atorvastatin?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with
atorvastatin/Lipitor . 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.
Alcohol and
atorvastatin/Lipitor can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Lipitor/Atorvastatin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
atorvastatin/Lipitor and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
blurred vision.
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of
atorvastatin/Lipitor and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
atorvastatin/Lipitor and talk to your doctor if you experience
upset stomach or flatulence; or
a rash.
headache;
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 HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE Lipitor/Atorvastatin?
Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before starting treatment with
atorvastatin/Lipitor , 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.
Store
atorvastatin/Lipitor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with
atorvastatin/Lipitor to monitor progress and side effects.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from
atorvastatin/Lipitor , avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with
atorvastatin/Lipitor . 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.
Take
atorvastatin/Lipitor exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Atorvastatin/Lipitor can be taken with or without food.
Atorvastatin/Lipitor is usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
It is important to take
atorvastatin/Lipitor regularly to get the most benefit.
Do not stop taking
atorvastatin/Lipitor without first talking to your doctor.
Atorvastatin/Lipitor may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
WHAT DRUG(S) MAY INTERACT WITH Lipitor/Atorvastatin?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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