Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.Keeping this in consideration, what does Atorvastatin do to the body?
Uses. Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.
Also Know, is atorvastatin safe to take? Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug or don't take it at all:While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more.
Consequently, what are the side effects of atorvastatin?
Side effects of atorvastatin include:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea.
- Cold symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose.
- Joint pain.
- Insomnia.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Indigestion symptoms such as stomach discomfort or pain.
How long should you take atorvastatin?
Studies show that some of the newer statins can be just as effective when taken in the morning. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are more potent than older statins. They have half-lives of at least 14 hours. Extended-release fluvastatin, or Lescol XL, can be taken at any time of day.
What does Atorvastatin do for the heart?
Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Atorvastatin is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.Is atorvastatin 10 mg safe?
CONCLUSIONS: In hypercholesterolemia patients, atorvastatin 10 mg every other day is safe and effective in lowering TC, TG, with LDL-c and a slight increase in HDL-c.Which statins must be taken at bedtime?
To maximize the effects of statins with a short half-life, fluvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin should be dosed at bedtime allowing the greatest drug concentration to be present during peak endogenous cholesterol synthesis.What are the long term side effects of atorvastatin?
Commonly reported side effects of atorvastatin include: hemorrhagic stroke, arthralgia, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis. Other side effects include: urinary tract infection, insomnia, limb pain, muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, and nausea.What foods to avoid while taking atorvastatin?
Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or atorvastatin will not be as effective. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Grapefruit may interact with atorvastatin and lead to unwanted side effects.Can statins cause back pain?
The New Statins and Low-Back-Pain Study Statin medication users had anywhere from a 19% to more than a 60% increased risk of having low back pain than matched controls who didn't take a statin drug.What is the safest cholesterol medicine?
Still, all in all, the statins are the safest and best tolerated of all cholesterol-lowering medications. Although most patients respond well to statin therapy, some don't.Does atorvastatin cause hair loss?
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor) belong to a group of cholesterol-lowering medications known as “statins”. Have hair loss is a reported side effect of both drugs. The newer statin, rosuvastatin (Crestor), luckily does not have this risk.What medications should not be taken with statins?
But there are some drug combinations that should be avoided, the heart association warns. Lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) should not be used with the fibrate cholesterol drug gemfibrozil, for example, because of the risk of muscle injury.Can Atorvastatin cause sleep problems?
Statins. Researchers have found that fat-soluble statins — which include Lipitor, Mevacor, Vytorin and Zocor — are more likely to cause insomnia or nightmares because they can more easily penetrate cell membranes and make their way across the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from chemicals in the blood.Why Lipitor is bad for you?
2) Atorvastatin is bad for your liver Very rarely (in 0.5% to 3% of cases), statins can cause your liver blood tests to rise, which in the past had doctors pretty worried. But studies have also shown that people taking statins actually have the same rate of liver injury as people not taking statins.Why do statins cause leg pain?
How statins cause muscle pain is not fully understood. One theory is that statins may affect a protein in muscle cells, which decreases muscle growth. Another theory is that statins decrease the levels of a natural substance in your body called coenzyme Q10. This substance helps your muscles produce energy.Can Atorvastatin cause weight gain?
A: According to the prescribing information available for Lipitor, neither weight gain nor anxiety were commonly reported side effects. If you are experiencing weight gain or anxiety, you may want to contact your doctor to determine the cause.What happens if you forget to take atorvastatin?
If you miss a dose of LIPITOR, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take LIPITOR if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of LIPITOR at the same time.Can Atorvastatin increased blood sugar?
Statin medications result in less insulin secretion and make your cells less sensitive to insulin. More potent statins like atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin cause a larger increase in blood sugar than less potent statins like pravastatin.Can statins affect kidneys?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when your kidneys are damaged and over time lose the ability to work properly. Statins are often recommended as part of this treatment, but these cholesterol-lowering drugs are also said to possibly worsen kidney failure.Is atorvastatin a blood thinner?
Statins reduce cholesterol in the blood, slowing its ability to narrow arteries. Blood thinners such as aspirin or clopidogrel help prevent dangerous clots. 
