Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (e.g., chest pain, heart attack, or stroke) that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems.

Atorvastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, and this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

In addition to this medicine, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Carefully follow your doctor's orders about any special diet.

Take this medicine at the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. Take this medicine with or without food.

Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with atorvastatin. This could cause unwanted effects on the liver.

Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice. Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 liters each day) while you take this medicine may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Cough

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

fever

hives

itching

muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, swelling, or weakness

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

skin rash

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

wheezing

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chills

dark-colored urine

diarrhea

joint pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

red skin lesions, often with a purple center sore

red, irritated eyes

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Headache

hoarseness

lower back or side pain

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

painful or difficult urination

stuffy or runny nose

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain

back pain

belching or excessive gas

constipation

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn, indigestion, or stomach discomfort

lack or loss of strength

loss of appetite

nausea

shivering

sweating

trouble sleeping

vomiting

Incidence not known

Appetite increased

black, tarry stools

bloody nose

bloody or cloudy urine

blurred vision

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty seeing at night

excessive muscle tone or tension

fruit-like breath odor

groin or scrotum pain

inability to have or keep an erection

increased body movements

increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

increased sensitivity to touch or pain

increased thirst

increased urination

loss of bladder control

loss of sexual ability, drive, or desire

menstrual bleeding occurring earlier or lasting longer than usual

mental depression

nervousness

nightmares

pale skin

paranoia

pinpoint red spots on the skin

slurred speech

swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin

unable to move or feel face

unusual bleeding or bruising

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of serious muscle problems, such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.

Call your doctor right away if you get a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of liver damage.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have a major surgery, major injury, or you develop other serious health problems.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.