This article describes possible interactions with atorvastatin oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for atorvastatin and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Other drugs and atorvastatin
Drugs that may interact with atorvastatin oral tablet are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with atorvastatin.
Drugs that may interact with atorvastatin oral tablet include:
- birth control pills:
- drug examples: ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Junel, others), drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (Yaz, others)
- what might happen: can prevent birth control pills from working well or not at all
- certain antiviral drugs:
- drug examples: ledipasvir/sofosvbuvir (Harvoni), glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- certain antiretroviral drugs:
- drug examples: lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), darunavir (Prezista)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- certain antibiotic drugs:
- drug examples: clarithromycin, erythromycin (Eryc)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- certain antifungal drugs:
- drug examples: ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- colchicine (Colcrys, others):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, others):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- diltiazem (Cardizem CD, others):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- gemfibrozil (Lopid):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
- niacin (Niacor):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects caused by atorvastatin
When to avoid atorvastatin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with atorvastatin oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe atorvastatin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for atorvastatin oral tablet:
- Worsening liver failure or cirrhosis. If you have liver failure or cirrhosis (liver scarring) with worsening symptoms, taking atorvastatin oral tablet may damage your liver further. Liver damage is a rare side effect of atorvastatin.
- Past allergic reaction to atorvastatin. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin oral tablet in the past, taking atorvastatin oral tablet may cause the same allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with atorvastatin, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take atorvastatin.
Alcohol and atorvastatin
Atorvastatin oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking atorvastatin oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause liver damage. This is a rare but serious side effect of atorvastatin treatment. It can also occur if you drink too much alcohol. So combining the two further raises your risk.
Symptoms of liver damage can include:
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with atorvastatin oral tablet.
Other interactions and atorvastatin
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether atorvastatin oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin and supplements
Before taking atorvastatin oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Atorvastatin interactions with herbs
Atorvastatin oral tablet may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used for supporting mood.
Taking atorvastatin and St. John’s wort may prevent atorvastatin from working well or at all.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs during treatment with atorvastatin oral tablet. They may suggest you stop taking St. John’s wort and recommend other options instead. Or they may prescribe a drug other than atorvastatin for your condition.
Atorvastatin interactions with vitamins
Atorvastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with atorvastatin oral tablet.
Atorvastatin and food
Consuming large amounts of grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with atorvastatin. For grapefruit juice, this means drinking 1.2 liters (about 40.5 ounces) or more of grapefruit juice per day.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can block your body from breaking down atorvastatin after you take a dose. This increases the level of atorvastatin in your body, which raises your risk of side effects from atorvastatin.
Because of this risk, you should avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice in large amounts while taking atorvastatin. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about this risk.
Atorvastatin and vaccines
Atorvastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with atorvastatin oral tablet.
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Get free cardAtorvastatin and lab tests
Atorvastatin oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with atorvastatin oral tablet.
Atorvastatin and cannabis or CBD
In studies, cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with atorvastatin. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking atorvastatin and cannabis or cannabis products may increase or decrease the level of atorvastatin in your body. A level that is too high raises your risk of side effects from taking atorvastatin, such as muscle pain. On the other hand, having an atorvastatin level that is too low means the drug may not work, or may not work as well.
Before you take atorvastatin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and atorvastatin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with atorvastatin oral tablet. Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether atorvastatin is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with atorvastatin oral tablet:
- diabetes
- kidney conditions
- liver conditions
- recent hemorrhagic stroke
- underactive thyroid
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to atorvastatin
Preventing atorvastatin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with atorvastatin oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your atorvastatin oral tablet treatment.
Taking atorvastatin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about atorvastatin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does atorvastatin have similar interactions compared with other statin drugs?
- If I take a drug that interacts with atorvastatin, will you monitor me more closely for side effects?
- What should I do if I’m diagnosed with a new health condition that affects my atorvastatin treatment?
- Is my risk of interactions higher if you prescribe me a higher dose of atorvastatin?
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.