How Atorvastatin works

Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required in the body to make cholesterol. It thus lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL).

Side Effects

Headache, Stomach pain, Constipation, Feeling sick, Muscle pain, Weakness, Dizziness, Increased glucose level in blood

Usage

Atorvastatin is used in the treatment of increased cholesterol and increased triglycerides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I know about high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat present in your blood. Your total cholesterol is made up of LDL and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol as it can build up in the wall of your blood vessels and slow or obstruct blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs. This can cause heart diseases and stroke. HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol as it prevents the bad cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels. Triglycerides also are harmful fats found in your blood.

Q. Is Atorvastatin used for lowering cholesterol?

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) lowering medicines. It is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes on their own have failed. If you are at an increased risk of heart disease, Atorvastatin can also be used to reduce such risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal. You should maintain a standard cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment.

Q. Is Atorvastatin diuretic?

Atorvastatin is not a diuretic. It is a lipid lowering agent which belongs to a group of medicines known as statins.

Q. Is Atorvastatin better than simvastatin and pravastatin?

Atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin belong to the same category of medications with similar action and similar side effects, but their effect may vary upon individual response. Always consult your doctor regarding its use.

Q. Can the use of Atorvastatin cause diabetes?

Diabetes has not been reported as a side effect of Atorvastatin. However, it may increase your blood sugar levels. So, it is very important that you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly if you are taking Atorvastatin. Also, share with your doctor if you have diabetes mellitus and you are advised to take Atorvastatin as your doctor will monitor you while you are taking this medicine.

Q. Can Atorvastatin lower the level of triglycerides?

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) lowering medicines. Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes on their own have failed.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause weight loss?

Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause weight loss. However, weight gain has been reported as an uncommon side effect. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight loss while you are taking Atorvastatin.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause erectile dysfunction?

Atorvastatin can cause erectile dysfunction although this side effect is not very clear. Please consult your doctor if you experience erectile dysfunction while you are taking Atorvastatin.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a common side effect of Atorvastatin. Please consult your doctor if you experience diarrhea after taking Atorvastatin as the dose of your medicine may need to be changed.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause memory loss?

Loss of memory is an uncommon side effect of Atorvastatin, which may affect up to 1 in 100 people. Please consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of memory loss after taking Atorvastatin.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause frequent urination?

Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause frequent urination. Please consult your doctor if you experience increased urinary frequency after taking Atorvastatin.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause high blood pressure?

Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of high blood pressure while taking Atorvastatin.

Q. Is Atorvastatin a blood thinner?

Atorvastatin is not a blood thinner. Atorvastatin is a lipid lowering agent which belongs to a group of medicines known as statins.

Q. Is Atorvastatin safe to take?

Atorvastatin is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor.

Q. Is Atorvastatin a beta blocker?

Atorvastatin is not a beta blocker. Atorvastatin is a lipid lowering agent which belongs to a group of medicines known as statins.

Q. Is Atorvastatin a controlled substance?

Atorvastatin is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). Controlled substances are drugs that are strictly regulated to reduce the risk of abuse and illegal distribution. To determine the level of restriction placed on a particular controlled substance, five different categories (or "Schedules") are used. A controlled substance will belong to Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V, with Schedule V being the least restricted.

Q. Is Atorvastatin an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor?

Atorvastatin is not an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Atorvastatin is a lipid lowering agent which belongs to a group of medicines known as statins.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with metformin?

Atorvastatin can be taken with metformin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with ibuprofen?

Atorvastatin can be taken with ibuprofen. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with milk?

No information is available for the use of Atorvastatin with milk. However, it can be taken any time of the day, with or without food. Please consult your doctor.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with fenofibrate?

Both fenofibrate and Atorvastatin have similar effects and they may increase the effects of each other. Fenofibrate may also increase side effects like risk for rhabdomyolysis (condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly). Monitoring is required when these two drugs are taken together. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with levothyroxine?

Atorvastatin can be taken with levothyroxine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with amlodipine?

Atorvastatin can be taken with amlodipine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with erythromycin?

Erythromycin can increase the level or effect of Atorvastatin by decreasing its breakdown which may lead to increased side effects like muscle weakness (myopathy). So, close monitoring is required when these two drugs are taken together. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with metronidazole?

Metronidazole can increase the level or effect of Atorvastatin by decreasing its breakdown which may lead to increased side effects like muscle weakness (myopathy) with Atorvastatin. So, close monitoring is required when these two drugs are taken together. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Atorvastatin with clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin can increase the level or effect of Atorvastatin by decreasing its breakdown which may lead to increased side effects like muscle weakness (myopathy) with Atorvastatin. So, close monitoring is required when these two drugs are taken together. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause gas?

Flatulence (gas or wind) is one of the common side effects associated with the use of Atorvastatin. If you have any such symptom while taking the drug, consult your doctor.

Q. Does Atorvastatin lower blood pressure?

Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug used in the treatment of increased cholesterol levels and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, a meta-analysis of different clinical trial shows that Atorvastatin has a small blood pressure lowering effect.

Q. Does Atorvastatin affect the liver?

Atorvastatin is associated rarely with hepatobiliary disorders. Its use is also linked with abnormal liver function test and hence a periodic test of the liver functions is recommended.

Q. Does Atorvastatin cause itching?

Atorvastatin use has been associated with urticaria (itching) and skin rash. If you experience any such symptom while using the drug, consult your doctor.

Q. Does Atorvastatin thin blood?

Atorvastatin is not a blood-thinner. It is a lipid-lowering agent and acts by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase enzyme.

Q. What is Atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug which belongs to group of medications called statins (lipid-lowering agents) or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. It acts by blocking the enzyme HMG CoA reductase and formation of cholesterol, thus, lowering the blood lipid levels.