Lipitor

The normal starting dose of Lipitor is 10mg once each day. The dose may be increased by your doctor, which will be adapted at intervals of 4 weeks or longer. The maximum dose of Lipitor tablets is 80mg once each day.

You should swallow Lipitor tablets whole with a glass of water, and they can be taken at any time of day. You can take Lipitor with or without food too. It is advised to take your tablet at the same time each day. In some instances, your doctor may advise you to take the tablet at night. This is because your body makes the most cholesterol in the evening. If you are unsure when to take the tablet, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you take too many Lipitor tablets by mistake, you should speak to your doctor or visit your nearest hospital for advice. Should you miss a dose by accident, take your next scheduled dose at the right time. Never take a double dose to make up for the one you have forgotten. You should see your doctor if you believe the effect of Lipitor is too weak or too strong.

If you are not sure what your cholesterol levels are, you will need to take a test first. We can supply this for you. Simply send a finger-prick sample of blood in the post to our lab. You will receive your results through your patient account within 2 to 3 days.

There are different kinds of tests available, which can check:

• the total level of cholesterol in your blood, including good and bad cholesterol
• good cholesterol
• bad cholesterol
• triglycerides (a fatty substance that is similar to bad cholesterol)

Lipitor is a statin that is commonly used to lower cholesterol. However, there are other kinds of statin available on prescription.

These include:

• rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• pravastatin (Lipostat)
• fluvastatin (Lescol)

Before you take medicine for lowering cholesterol, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes. This may reduce your risk of getting cardiovascular disease in the future.

Lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol level include:

• exercising daily
• following a healthy, balanced diet
• stopping smoking
• lowering the amount of alcohol you drink
• maintaining a healthy weight

Like with any medicine, Lipitor tablets can cause side effects. Not everyone will get them, but it is good to be aware of side effects before starting treatment.

If you get any of the following serious side effects, you must stop taking Lipitor right away and see your doctor. Should you have an allergic reaction to the medicine, you must visit A&E.

Rare side effects of Lipitor tablets include:

• serious allergic reaction (can cause swelling of the tongue, throat, and face)
• serious illness with severe swelling and peeling of the skin
• muscle weakness, pain, tenderness, or a red-brown discolouration of urine
• lupus-like disease syndrome (such as joint disorders, rashes, and effects on blood cells)

There are common side effects of Lipitor which can happen in more than 1 in 100 people, such as:

• headaches
• nosebleeds
• sore throat
• indigestion
• nausea

If you get any common side effects or have any concerns, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor for reassurance.

Certain medicines can interact with Lipitor tablets and affect how well they work. You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, have recently taken, or plan to take other medicines.

Medicines that may not mix well with Lipitor include:

• warfarin (stops blood clotting)
• some HIV medicines (such as ritonavir)
• colchicine (a medicine for gout)
• some antifungals and antibiotics (such as erythromycin, voriconazole, and ketoconazole)
• contraceptive pills
• ciclosporin (a medicine used to change how your immune system works)
• medicines used to treat hepatitis C (such as telaprevir)

If you are taking Lipitor tablets and need to take any of the medicines above, your doctor or pharmacist may:

• prescribe a different statin medicine
• prescribe a lower dose of Lipitor
• advise you to stop taking Lipitor for a while

Other medicines may interact with Lipitor. The full list can be found in the patient information leaflet.

You should not take Lipitor tablets if you:

• are allergic to atorvastatin or other ingredients of this medicine
• have or have ever had a disease that affects the liver
• are trying to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant

Before taking Lipitor tablets, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have severe respiratory failure
• have kidney problems
• regularly drink a large amount of alcohol
• have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• are older than 70 years

If any of the above apply to you, your doctor may require you to have a blood test before beginning Lipitor tablets. This is because high cholesterol does not always show any signs or cause symptoms.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Lipitor tablets are not recommended. This is because there is no firm evidence to say it is safe. You should speak to your doctor if you have plans to have a baby. This is because it is advised to stop taking Lipitor at least 3 months before you begin trying for a baby. Should you become pregnant while using Lipitor, stop taking the medicine immediately.