Atorvastatin

About Atorvastatin

Cholesterol and other fats can clog your blood vessels and reduce blood flow to parts of your body. When the blood flow to your heart or brain is reduced, you can suffer a heart attack or stroke, respectively.

Atorvastatin reduces the levels of bad cholesterol and fats (low-density lipoproteins cholesterol) and helps to prevent clogging of your blood vessels.

How does Atorvastatin work?

Cholesterol and other fats are made in the liver and also absorbed from our diet. Cholesterol is used to make hormones and cells. Fats are used as a source of energy in the body.

Atorvastatin interferes with proteins (HMG CoA reductase) that are involved in the production of chemicals needed to make cholesterol and fats.

What are the side-effects I may experience?

You may experience:

• Headache

• Difficulty sleeping

• Cold symptoms such as sneezing, and runny nose

• Muscle and joint pain

• Muscle spasms

• Fatigue

• Abdominal pain

• Flatulence

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Increased blood sugar You may experience increased thirst and urination.

You should not abruptly stop taking any medications. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if any side effects of medications become unbearable.

Are there any medications and foods I should avoid?

• You may eat normally while taking atorvastatin.

• It is advisable not to take grapefruit or grapefruit juice and atorvastatin together. It is best to avoid but do not take more than a liter a day if you should and at least 3 days apart.

• Atorvastatin can interact with a number of medications. Take a list of all your other medications and show them to your pharmacist or doctor before you start taking atorvastatin.

• Alcohol is harmful to the liver. Atorvastatin can also be harmful to the liver in rare cases. Alcohol can also increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. It is recommended to avoid or drastically cut down on alcohol intake.

Useful information

• Your doctor or dietician can recommend a diet for you to help lower your cholesterol intake and weight if you are overweight.

• It will be recommended to reduce saturated fat intake and increase fiber, fish, fruit, and vegetable consumption.

• You should also avoid smoking because it increases your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

• It is best to take simvastatin at night. This is when most of the body’s cholesterol is produced.

I forgot a dose. What should I do?

If you forget to take your prescription, take it as soon as you remember.

If you miss a dose, don’t take a double dose.

If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose and take the next one.

Can I drive or operate machinery?

There are no restrictions for driving and the operation of machinery when on atorvastatin.

Should I be bothered about possible addiction or dependence?

Atorvastatin isn’t addictive.

Will my sexual performance, fertility or contraceptive be impaired?

You may experience some side effects from your contraceptives. This is because atorvastatin increases the levels of some contraceptives in the body.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you experience erectile dysfunction or feel depressed.

Atorvastatin has shown no effect on fertility.

Can I use this medication if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

It is not advisable to take atorvastatin when pregnant unless prescribed by your doctor.

You must not take atorvastatin when breastfeeding. It has not been proven safe for your baby.