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Overview: Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol levels and to lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. It works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood. Common side effects include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, muscle or joint pain, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, muscle cramps, or dark-colored pee, as these may be signs of a serious side effect. Atorvastatin comes as either a tablet or liquid that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is atorvastatin used for?

Atorvastatin is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It also increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Improving your cholesterol levels helps decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Atorvastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does atorvastatin work (mechanism of action)?

Atorvastatin lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the removal of bad cholesterol from the blood.

How is atorvastatin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Atorvaliq
  • Lipitor

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 10 mg oral tablets
  • 20 mg oral tablets
  • 40 mg oral tablets
  • 80 mg oral tablets
  • 20 mg/5 mL oral suspension

How should I store atorvastatin?

Oral Tablet. Atorvastatin oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). They can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting them. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Oral Liquid. Atorvastatin oral suspension should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in the original bottle. Use within the first 60 days of opening, then throw away any remaining medicine.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of atorvastatin?

The most common atorvastatin side effects are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat
  • Muscle spasms or pain
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Pain in your arms and legs
  • Kidney or bladder infection

There may be other side effects of atorvastatin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of atorvastatin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of atorvastatin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Muscle Problems. Atorvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness, called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking atorvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.

  • Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
  • Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Fever
  • Muscle cramps
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity can happen when taking atorvastatin. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Increased Blood Sugar. Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your health care provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Atorvastatin can cause allergic reactions, including severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), which can be serious. Stop taking atorvastatin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use atorvastatin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take atorvastatin.

  • Atorvaliq
  • Atorvastatin
  • Lipitor
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed 

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific atorvastatin products they stock.

Liver Problems. Atorvastatin should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to see if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about atorvastatin before using it?

Do not take atorvastatin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share atorvastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep atorvastatin out of the reach of children.

People who are age 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of atorvastatin, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for blood work, while you are taking this medicine. Follow any advice from your health care provider about diet and exercise.

If you are taking atorvastatin oral liquid, take it on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

What should I tell my health care provider before using atorvastatin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if atorvastatin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Diabetes
  • History of stroke
  • Thyroid problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Atorvastatin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking atorvastatin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Atorvastatin may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking atorvastatin and contact your health care provider right away. 

Breastfeeding. Do not take atorvastatin while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if atorvastatin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does atorvastatin interact with foods or drinks?

Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (1.2 liters or more per day) while taking atorvastatin. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can increase your risk of having serious muscle problems. 

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking atorvastatin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Tell your health care provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking atorvastatin.

Does atorvastatin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking atorvastatin.

  • A medicine used for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis C
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used to treat bacterial infections
  • Colchicine, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Niacin or a fibrate, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), or gemfibrozil (Lopid), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
  • Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A birth control pill

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of atorvastatin, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with atorvastatin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much atorvastatin?

If you or someone else has taken too much atorvastatin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of atorvastatin?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours has passed since your last dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.