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What is Lipitor: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Dec. 5, 2023  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Lipitor overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Lipitor, Lipitor

Generic Names:

  • Atorvastatin Calcium

Uses:

  • Lowers high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Reduces the risk of angina, stroke, heart attack, or certain heart and blood vessel problems. This medicine is a statin.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antihyperlipidemic

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Lipitor come in

  • Tablet

What are common Lipitor doses?

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Tablet 20MG

  • Tablet 40MG

  • Tablet 80MG

Common Lipitor prescriptions

  • Lipitor
    30 tablets bottle

  • Lipitor
    30 tablets of 20mg bottle

  • Lipitor
    30 tablets of 40mg bottle

  • Lipitor
    90 tablets bottle

  • Lipitor
    10mg tablet

  • Lipitor
    20mg tablet

  • Lipitor
    40mg tablet

  • Lipitor
    80mg tablet

How to take Lipitor

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Take this medicine at the same time each day.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take this medicine at the same time each day.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Lipitor contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin, if you have active liver disease, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Lipitor warnings

  • It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, diabetes, an infection, low blood pressure, muscle pain or weakness, seizures, thyroid problems, a recent stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack), or a history of liver disease. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly.

  • This medicine may cause liver problems or myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle damage), which can lead to kidney problems.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Unusual tiredness

Lipitor interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how atorvastatin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Boceprevir, cimetidine, clarithromycin, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, niacin, rifampin, spironolactoneBirth control pillsBlood thinner (including warfarin)Fibrate medicineMedicine to treat HIV/AIDS (including darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, elbasvir/grazoprevir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir/ritonavir, letermovir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir/ritonavir, simeprevir, telaprevir, tipranavir/ritonavir)

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • This medicine can cause muscle problems, which can lead to kidney problems.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you use this medicine. You may need to stop using it if you have surgery, have an injury, or develop serious health problems.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Lipitor side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness

  • Fever

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Unusual tiredness

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Arm, leg, or joint pain

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Diarrhea

Lipitor News & Research

Health Education

Lipitor generic availability, cost, and dosage

26 Sep 2023  by Kristi C. Torres, Pharm.D.
A Lipitor generic is available. Learn the difference in cost, dosages, and how to switch to generic Lipitor.
Drug Info

Is Lipitor (atorvastatin) a blood thinner?

9 Sep 2022  by Chad Shaffer, MD
Lipitor is a statin drug that is FDA-approved to lower cholesterol. Lipitor may impact platelet action and thus reduce clotting. Compare statins and anticoagulants.
Drug Info

Why you should avoid mixing Lipitor and grapefruit

11 Aug 2022  by Lindsay Modglin
Mixing Lipitor and grapefruit may have adverse interactions. Grapefruit may affect the breakdown of some statins - learn which combinations to avoid.
Drug Info

What happens when you mix Lipitor and alcohol?

3 Jun 2022  by Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D.
Mixing alcohol and Lipitor is probably safe on occasion, but Lipitor can cause abnormal liver function, which can be worsened by alcohol.
Drug Info

Lipitor interactions with drugs, vitamins, and foods

4 Apr 2022  by Stephanie Melby, Pharm.D.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) interacts with certain antifungals, antivirals, and antibiotics ending in -mycin. Get a full list of atorvastatin interactions here.
Drug Info

13 things you might not know about Lipitor

1 Feb 2022  by Heather M. Jones
Lipitor is the most prescribed statin. Did you know that it can reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 60%? Get more Lipitor facts on efficacy, safety, and costs here.
Drug Info

Lipitor side effects and how to avoid them

30 Apr 2021  by SingleCare Team
Diarrhea, joint pain, and cold symptoms are common Lipitor (atorvastatin) side effects. Learn how long Lipitor side effects last and how to avoid them.
Drug vs. Drug

Pravastatin vs. Lipitor: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

25 Feb 2019  by Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D.
Pravastatin and Lipitor treat high cholesterol but work in different ways. Compare the side effects and cost of these drugs to find out which one is better.
Drug vs. Drug

Crestor vs. Lipitor: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

5 Dec 2018  by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Crestor and Lipitor treat high cholesterol but are not exactly the same. Compare the side effects and cost of these drugs to find out which one is better.