Atorvastatin oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes atorvastatin oral tablet’s dosages, strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for atorvastatin. 

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lipitor. 

If you want to know more about atorvastatin oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. 

Form and strengths of atorvastatin

Atorvastatin comes as follows: 

• Form: tablet that you swallow 
• Strengths: 
  • 10 milligrams (mg) 
  • 20 mg 
  • 40 mg 
  • 80 mg 

Dosage of atorvastatin 

This article describes the recommended dosages* for atorvastatin oral tablet. 

If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of atorvastatin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. 

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes atorvastatin, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you. 

Usual recommended dosages of atorvastatin in adults 

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of atorvastatin oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Your doctor can tell you more about the atorvastatin dose that’s best for you. 

The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s most suitable for your needs. 

Dosage for high cholesterol and other conditions 

Doctors prescribe atorvastatin oral tablets to: 

• lower certain high cholesterol* levels and increase good cholesterol† levels in adults in certain situations 
• lower certain heart-related risks, including heart attack, stroke, and the need for specific heart surgeries, in certain adults with heart-related risk factors‡ 
• lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart-related risk factors‡ 

* High cholesterol is low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. Too much LDL can cause plaque to build up in your blood vessels.
† Good cholesterol is high-density lipoprotein, or HDL. It removes extra cholesterol in the body. 
‡ Some risk factors are high blood pressure, tobacco use, and a family history of heart problems. Your doctor can tell you more about specific heart-related risk factors you might have. 

For these approved uses, atorvastatin oral tablet’s recommended dosage is as follows: 

• Starting dosage: 10 milligrams (mg) or 20 mg once per day 
• Maintenance dosage range: 10 mg to 80 mg once per day 
• Maximum dosage: 80 mg once per day 

Dosages of atorvastatin in children 

Doctors prescribe atorvastatin to treat high cholesterol caused by heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) if dietary treatment hasn’t worked. The drug is approved for this use in children ages 10 years to 17 years. 

HeFH is a genetic condition, which means it’s passed on through the body’s genes. HeFH causes very high cholesterol levels regardless of a person’s diet or activity level. 

The usual atorvastatin dosage for children is 10 mg to 20 mg once per day. Your child’s doctor can tell you more about the dosage they’ll prescribe for your child. 

Dosage adjustments for atorvastatin 

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of atorvastatin oral tablet based on several factors. These include: 

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is 
• your age 
• other health conditions you may have 

Missed dose of atorvastatin 

If you miss an atorvastatin dose, check when it was due. If it was due less than 12 hours ago, take it as soon as you remember. But if it was due more than 12 hours ago, skip the missed dose. Instead, take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose of atorvastatin at a time. 

For tips on how to plan your doses of atorvastatin oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm. 

Frequently asked questions 

Below are answers to some questions commonly asked about atorvastatin oral tablet and its dosage. 

What are the lowest dose, highest dose, and ‘normal’ dose of atorvastatin? 

The lowest recommended dose of atorvastatin is 10 milligrams (mg). The highest recommended dose is 80 mg. 

A “normal” dose is sometimes called a maintenance dose. It’s the target dose a doctor prescribes to be taken after a starting dose. It helps maintain the effect of the medication. To learn more about doses of atorvastatin, see the “Dosage of atorvastatin” section above. Or you can check with your doctor or pharmacist. 

What should be done if someone accidentally took a double dose of atorvastatin? 

In most cases, nothing needs to be done if you accidentally take a double dose of atorvastatin. Taking a double dose of atorvastatin may cause mild symptoms and usually nothing more. Examples of these mild symptoms are nausea and diarrhea. 

An atorvastatin overdose isn’t expected to be life threatening. But you should call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too many atorvastatin oral tablets. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. 

If you develop severe symptoms after taking too much atorvastatin, immediately call 911 (or a local emergency number). You can also go to the closest emergency room. 

Is atorvastatin taken long term? 

Yes, doctors usually prescribe atorvastatin oral tablet as a long-term treatment. 

If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. 

How atorvastatin is taken

Atorvastatin oral tablet is taken by mouth. You’ll take it once per day. 

Atorvastatin can be taken with or without a meal.  

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This can help keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. By doing so, the drug can work more effectively.  

The tablet should not be chewed, split, or crushed. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.  

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it. 

Atorvastatin coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for atorvastatin when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.  

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.  

Overdose of atorvastatin 

It’s important that you do not take more atorvastatin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects. 

What to do if you take too much atorvastatin 

If you think you’ve taken too much atorvastatin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room. 

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for atorvastatin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.  

Do not change your dosage of atorvastatin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take atorvastatin oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it.  

Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan. 

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor: 

• How will you determine the right atorvastatin oral tablet dosage for me? 
• If I have side effects from atorvastatin oral tablet, can I try taking a lower dosage? 
• Will my atorvastatin oral tablet dosage change over time? If so, what are some possible causes or reasons for changing it? 

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.