Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved atorvastatin oral tablet to lower certain high cholesterol levels in certain adults and children. It’s also used to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain adults.
For the above uses, atorvastatin oral tablet is used together with a heart-healthy diet.
This article describes possible side effects (also known as adverse effects) of atorvastatin oral tablet. 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.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about atorvastatin oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
More common side effects of atorvastatin
Atorvastatin oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of atorvastatin
Atorvastatin may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of atorvastatin in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with atorvastatin oral tablet. While it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, allergic reaction has occurred since atorvastatin was approved for use.
Atorvastatin oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of atorvastatin
Atorvastatin may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from atorvastatin oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with atorvastatin oral tablet.
Serious side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of atorvastatin in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with atorvastatin oral tablet. While it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, allergic reaction has occurred since atorvastatin was approved for use.
Common questions about side effects of atorvastatin
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Will the different strengths of atorvastatin, including 20 mg and 40 mg, cause different side effects?
No, different strengths of atorvastatin oral tablet aren’t expected to cause different side effects.
Atorvastatin oral tablet is available in the following strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. But all strengths are expected to cause the same side effects.
Your risk for side effects may vary depending on the dose you take. But it isn’t straightforward. For example, in the drug’s studies, people who took 10 mg, which is the lowest atorvastatin dose, had the highest risk for runny or stuffy nose. But they had the lowest risk for nausea.
You can view a full list of side effects and how they varied by dose by viewing atorvastatin’s prescribing information. You can also talk with your pharmacist or doctor to learn more.
Does atorvastatin cause certain side effects in older adults?
No, older adults aren’t at risk for specific side effects from atorvastatin.
But older adults may be at higher risk for certain side effects. Specifically, adults ages 65 years and older are at higher risk for muscle problems from atorvastatin. (For details about severe muscle problems, see the “Side effects of atorvastatin details” section below.)
That said, close to half of people who took atorvastatin in studies were ages 65 years and older. Researchers didn’t notice a significant difference in how often side effects occurred in younger adults versus older adults.
If you are age 65 years or older, your doctor may start by prescribing a lower atorvastatin dose. Then, they may increase your dose slowly over time depending on how well the drug works for you and whether you experience any bothersome side effects.
Talk with your doctor if you’re an older adult and have additional questions about possible risks from taking atorvastatin.
Is hair loss or weight gain a possible side effect of atorvastatin?
No, hair loss and weight gain aren’t expected side effects from taking atorvastatin.
When statin drugs, such as atorvastatin, were first approved for use, some rare cases of hair loss were reported. However, statin drugs have now been in use for a few decades. There hasn’t been a study that firmly links statins, including atorvastatin, and hair loss.
One large study found that people taking a statin drug, on average, consumed more calories and fat and gained weight over time compared to people not taking a statin. Eating more calories can lead to weight gain. But atorvastatin isn’t expected to cause this as a side effect.
If you have questions about hair loss or weight gain while taking atorvastatin, talk with your doctor.
Can atorvastatin cause dental or teeth-related side effects?
No, atorvastatin isn’t expected to cause dental or teeth-related side effects. These weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Talk with your doctor if you have concerns that your medication could cause teeth-related side effects.
Are withdrawal symptoms possible side effects of atorvastatin?
No, withdrawal symptoms aren’t expected with atorvastatin. Withdrawal symptoms are symptoms that occur when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.
If you have questions or concerns about withdrawal symptoms, talk with your doctor.
Does atorvastatin cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible, although not likely. In most cases, side effects caused by atorvastatin are temporary and can be easily managed.
But in rare cases, long-term side effects can occur. In atorvastatin’s studies, the following possible long-term side effects were reported:
- liver damage
- muscle problems
To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of atorvastatin in detail” section below.
Muscle pain
Muscle pain is a possible side effect from taking atorvastatin. But, most people who took the drug in studies did not report muscle pain.
Most instances of muscle pain caused by atorvastatin are mild. In rare cases, muscle pain can be severe.
Severe muscle pain may be a sign of more severe muscle problems atorvastatin may cause. For details, see the “Severe muscle problems” section below.
Certain factors increase your risk for muscle pain while taking atorvastatin. These may include:
Ways to manage
It’s important to let your doctor know whether you experience muscle pain while you’re taking atorvastatin. Your doctor can determine whether this is a symptom of a more serious muscle problem.
For mild muscle pain, your doctor may lower your atorvastatin dose. If this doesn’t help relieve your symptoms, they may have you stop atorvastatin and try a different statin instead. This side effect typically goes away once treatment is stopped.
Liver damage
Liver failure was not reported in atorvastatin’s studies. But, in rare cases, liver failure has been reported since the drug was approved for use.
Atorvastatin is known to cause an increase in the level of liver enzymes in your body. In many people, this doesn’t cause symptoms. But, in rare cases, an increased liver enzyme level can be a sign of liver damage.
Other symptoms of liver damage include jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes) and pain in your abdomen.
Ways to manage
Your doctor will likely order a blood test to check your liver enzyme levels prior to prescribing atorvastatin. They may also periodically order this test during your treatment with atorvastatin. Your doctor may reduce your atorvastatin dose or stop treatment if this level is high.
If you develop symptoms of liver damage while taking atorvastatin, immediately talk with your doctor. They’ll likely advise you to stop taking the drug.
Severe muscle problems
In addition to mild muscle pain, atorvastatin can rarely cause severe muscle problems. These include myopathy, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis. See the table below for details about these conditions.
Certain factors increase your risk for severe muscle problems while using atorvastatin, including:
- being age 65 years or older
- having low thyroid hormone levels that aren’t treated
- having kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease
- using other drugs, such as fibrates including fenofibrate (Tricor) or gemfibrozil (Lopid), that can cause muscle pain or problems
These muscle problems may occur at any time while you’re taking atorvastatin. Even if you’ve taken the drug for a long time without issues.
Ways to manage
Immediately talk with your doctor if you notice symptoms of myopathy, including immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor will want to evaluate your symptoms further, which may include ordering blood tests. Your doctor may recommend stopping your treatment with atorvastatin.
If you think you’re having symptoms of rhabdomyolysis while taking atorvastatin, immediately go to the closest emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency number. This condition requires treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications such as kidney damage. Your doctor will likely stop your atorvastatin treatment if you develop rhabdomyolysis while using the drug.
Allergic reaction
For some people, atorvastatin oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. It has been reported since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to atorvastatin oral tablet, your doctor may recommend you take a different medication instead.
Warnings for atorvastatin
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking atorvastatin oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take atorvastatin oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether atorvastatin oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking atorvastatin oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Kidney problems. People with kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, are at higher risk for muscle-related side effects if they take atorvastatin. Your doctor can help determine whether atorvastatin is safe to take with your kidney problem.
Liver problems. Atorvastatin can cause liver problems, including liver damage, as a side effect. People with liver problems, such as liver cirrhosis, are at higher risk for liver-related side effects if they take atorvastatin. Your doctor can help determine whether atorvastatin is safe to take based on the severity of your liver problem. They may decide to prescribe another drug that’s safer for you instead.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Atorvastatin and pregnancy
It is not safe to take atorvastatin while pregnant. Statin drugs, including atorvastatin, are known to cause problems with fetal development (commonly referred to as birth defects). It may also cause loss of pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, your doctor will advise you to stop taking the medication for the course of your pregnancy. Your doctor can advise you on when it’s safe to resume treatment with atorvastatin following your pregnancy.
Atorvastatin and breastfeeding
You should not breastfeed while taking atorvastatin.
It’s not known whether the drug is present in breast milk. But there is the potential for serious side effects in a child who is breastfed. Doctors will instead recommend other safe ways to feed your child if you’re taking a statin drug, such as atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin and alcohol
It’s best to avoid or minimize alcohol consumption while taking atorvastatin. Consuming alcohol while taking atorvastatin can raise your risk for liver problems, including liver damage. This is because both alcohol and atorvastatin can cause liver problems.
If you drink alcohol and you’d like to drink it while taking atorvastatin oral tablet, talk with your doctor. They can provide more information on how much, if any, alcohol is safe for you to consume during treatment.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do any of my medications put me at higher risk for side effects from atorvastatin?
- If I have side effects from using atorvastatin, will trying a lower dose help treat my symptoms?
- Are there treatments for side effects caused by atorvastatin, or will I have to stop treatment for my symptoms to go away?
- How do side effects caused by atorvastatin compare with other statin drugs?
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.
