Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Lipitor.
Chemical Name: ATORVASTATIN (a-TORE-va-sta-tin)
Lipitor 40mg is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in your blood. It may also be used in certain adolescent patients, age 10 to 17 years, who have a genetically caused cholesterol problem. Lipitor 40mg is not a cure for high cholesterol, but may help to control it. Lipitor 40mg may also be used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain caused by angina. It is also used in certain patients to reduce the risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure, or the need for medical procedures to open blocked heart blood vessels. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Lipitor 40mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE LIPITOR 40mg if you are also taking another medicine that contains atorvastatin. DO NOT TAKE LIPITOR 40mg if you are also taking certain itraconazole, mibefradil, or HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir or ritonavir). If you are currently taking any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Lipitor 40mg. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking fibrates (such as gemfibrozil or fenofibrate), efavirenz, amiodarone, carbamazepine, colchicine, conivaptan, cyclosporine, certain macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin), digoxin, diltiazem, azole antifungals (such as fluconazole), high doses of niacin (1 gram or more per day), hormonal birth control (such as birth control pills), nefazodone, rifampin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, spironolactone, imatinib, bosentan, St. John's wort, verapamil, voriconazole, dalfopristin, or quinupristin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including heart disease, recent stroke, muscle problems, alcohol use, allergies (especially to other "statin" or cholesterol-lowering medicines), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Certain medical conditions including low blood pressure; severe infection; uncontrolled seizures; or serious metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte problems may increase your risk for side effects that can result in kidney problems while taking Lipitor 40mg. Contact your doctor if you develop any of these conditions. USE OF LIPITOR 40mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of liver disease or abnormal liver function test results. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Lipitor 40mg.
Follow the directions for using Lipitor 40mg provided by your doctor. Lipitor 40mg may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Try to take Lipitor 40mg at the same time each day. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice at the same time you take Lipitor 40mg. STORE LIPITOR 40mg at room temperature between 68 to 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF LIPITOR 40mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE LIPITOR 40mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS before the full benefits of Lipitor 40mg can be seen. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TAKING LIPITOR 40mg even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. LABORATORY AND/OR MEDICAL TESTS such as blood cholesterol levels or liver function tests may be done before you begin taking Lipitor 40mg and during treatment to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using Lipitor 40mg. BEFORE HAVING ANY KIND OF SURGERY, tell your doctor that you are taking Lipitor 40mg. DAILY USE OF ALCOHOL may increase your chance for serious side effects. Limit alcoholic beverages. LIPITOR 40mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Lipitor 40mg. Using Lipitor 40mg alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. LIPITOR 40mg MAY INFREQUENTLY cause muscle damage. Untreated, this can lead to kidney damage and a very serious condition known as rhabdomyolysis. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if they occur with fever or unusual tiredness. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking Lipitor 40mg may increase the amount of Lipitor 40mg in your blood, which may increase your risk for serious side effects. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet while you are taking Lipitor 40mg. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING LIPITOR 40mg IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT USE LIPITOR 40mg if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. It is recommended that women of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures while taking Lipitor 40mg, since it may cause fetal harm. LIPITOR 40mg IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Lipitor 40mg.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Lipitor 40mg include dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or stomach upset/pain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience bone, joint, or tendon pain; or swelling in the arms or legs. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness); yellowing eyes and skin; dark urine; change in the amount of urine; pale stools; or severe stomach pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Lipitor 40mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Lipitor
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
FOR BEST RESULTS, Lipitor 40mg should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are overweight. FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. DO NOT SHARE LIPITOR 40mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE LIPITOR 40mg for other health conditions. KEEP LIPITOR 40mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING LIPITOR 40mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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