Atorvastatin: Why is this medication prescribed?

Atorvastatin (Brand name(s): Caduet® (combination with amlodipine); Lipitor®) is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in the blood. Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Buildup of cholesterol and fats along the walls of the blood vessels (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Lowering blood levels of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.
How should this medicine be used?

Atorvastatin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take atorvastatin, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take atorvastatin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of atorvastatin and gradually increase your dose.

Continue to take atorvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking atorvastatin without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking atorvastatin,

    * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atorvastatin or any other medications.
    * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); digoxin (Lanoxin); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan); and spironolactone (Aldactone). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
    * tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
    * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking atorvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Atorvastatin may harm the fetus.
    * if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking atorvastatin.
    * if you have a severe infection, surgery, an injury, low blood pressure, or seizures while taking atorvastatin, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication for a while.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines (corn, safflower, canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as meat (especially liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?

Atorvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

    * gas or bloating
    * stomach pain
    * constipation
    * upset stomach
    * diarrhea
    * difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
    * dizziness
    * sore throat
    * weakness
    * rash

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

    * muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
    * lack of energy or fever
    * yellowing of the skin or eyes

Atorvastatin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication