Atorvastatin: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Atorvastatin is a prescription medicine that lowers cholesterol in the blood. It is used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people at higher risk, and to lower raised LDL cholesterol. It belongs to the statins. It is not recommended in pregnancy and should only be started or stopped on a doctor's advice.
Also known as: Atorvastatin tablet, Atorvastatin calcium, Atorvastatin 10 mg, Atorvastatin 20 mg, Atorvastatin 40 mg, Lipitor, Atorva
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Atorvastatin work?
Atorvastatin blocks an enzyme in the liver, HMG-CoA reductase, that the body uses to make cholesterol. The liver then makes less cholesterol and removes more LDL cholesterol from the blood.
How to take Atorvastatin
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. Atorvastatin is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Your doctor decides the dose and how long you need it.
Side effects of Atorvastatin
Most people take atorvastatin without serious problems. Some side effects are common and mild, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Headache
- Feeling sick, wind, constipation or diarrhoea
- Aching muscles or joints
- Sore throat or a blocked or runny nose
- Trouble sleeping
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with fever or dark urine (a rare muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis). Get medical help immediately
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or severe stomach pain
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Extreme thirst, passing urine much more often, or feeling very tired
- Memory loss or confusion (rare)
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking atorvastatin, or need extra care while taking it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to atorvastatin or any ingredient of the tablet
- Active liver disease or severe liver failure
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: it is not recommended. If you could become pregnant, talk to your doctor about contraception. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant
- Liver disease, or a past liver problem with a statin
- Muscle problems, or a past muscle problem with a statin or similar medicine
- Untreated underactive thyroid, kidney disease or heavy alcohol use: these raise the risk of muscle problems
- Diabetes or a high risk of it: statins can raise blood sugar a little
- Older age: the risk of muscle problems is higher
Medicines and things that interact with Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies.
- Clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole and ketoconazole: they raise atorvastatin levels and the risk of muscle damage
- Ciclosporin: raises atorvastatin levels and the risk of muscle damage
- Gemfibrozil and other fibrates, and high-dose niacin: more risk of muscle problems
- Colchicine: more risk of muscle problems
- Rifampicin and St John's wort: they may lower the effect
- Warfarin: blood clotting may need closer checks
- Large amounts of grapefruit juice: raises the level of the medicine in the blood
If someone takes too much
Taking one extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to be serious. If someone has taken much more than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you. Muscle pain or dark urine afterwards needs urgent medical help.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine; atorvastatin is listed in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules 1945. Single-ingredient atorvastatin is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Fixed-dose combinations that contain atorvastatin with other medicines may be treated differently, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Atorvastatin belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Atorvastatin
These medicines sold in India contain Atorvastatin. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Atorva 10 · 10 mg tablet
What is Atorvastatin used for?
Medicines that contain Atorvastatin are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Atorvastatin.
Common questions
What is atorvastatin used for?
Atorvastatin is a prescription medicine used to lower raised cholesterol and to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people at higher risk. It is taken alongside a healthy diet. A doctor decides whether it suits you.
Is atorvastatin safe in pregnancy?
It is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are planning a baby, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
Why does atorvastatin cause muscle pain?
Rarely, statins can damage muscle. Tell your doctor promptly about unexplained, severe pain or weakness, or dark urine, because a blood test may be needed. Do not stop or change the dose yourself.
Do I need liver tests on atorvastatin?
Doctors may check liver blood tests before or during treatment. Tell your doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe stomach pain. Follow your doctor's advice on tests.
Can I stop atorvastatin once my cholesterol is normal?
Cholesterol usually rises again if a statin is stopped, so most people take it for the long term. A normal result often means the medicine is working. Talk to your doctor before making any change.
Can I eat grapefruit with atorvastatin?
Large amounts of grapefruit juice can raise the level of atorvastatin in the blood. Avoid large amounts unless your doctor says it is fine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Can I drink alcohol with atorvastatin?
Heavy drinking can harm the liver, and atorvastatin is also handled by the liver. Keep alcohol low and ask your doctor what is reasonable for you.
Does atorvastatin raise blood sugar?
Statins can raise blood sugar a little, mostly in people already at risk of diabetes. The benefit for the heart usually outweighs this. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, and report extreme thirst or passing a lot of urine.
Is Atorva 10 the same as atorvastatin?
Atorva 10 is a brand name. The tablet contains atorvastatin, 10 mg per tablet. Check the ingredient list and strength on the pack, and ask your doctor before switching to another product.
Sources
- Atorvastatin: a medicine to lower cholesterol. NHS (UK)
- Statins. NHS (UK)
- Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) tablets: prescribing information (revised 2024). DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Atorvastatin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: C10AA HMG CoA reductase inhibitors. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- The Drugs Rules, 1945 (consolidated, September 2024 edition), Schedule H: prescription drugs. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)