Atorvastatin can injure an unborn baby and pass into breast milk. I was advised to take Atorvastatin Calcium 10mg. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the amount of atorvastatin in the body. This is an antioxidant thats found in your body. Additionally, other forms of cholesterol and risk-modifying therapy are also available, including bile acid sequestering agents, fibrates and PCSK-9 inhibitors, which have also already been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes. Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. A.D.A.M. Newly discovered marker of multiple sclerosis severity may lead to better treatments, Colorectal cancer: Earlier screening should be considered for young men at high risk, New drug mirikizumab shows promise in ulcerative colitis remission, Insulin treatment might boost cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to consume during your Lipitor treatment. Elevated liver enzymes including AST (aspartate transaminase) and ALT (alanine transaminase . Statins may also interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Niacin (vitamin B3) Rifampin or other inducers of cytochrome P450 3A4 Digoxin Oral contraceptives (hormonal birth control pills) Colchicine Diltiazem Do NOT take atorvastatin with red yeast rice The FDA also states the following information: Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions. Investigating the power of music for dementia. You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. These drugs may help stabilize the plaques on blood vessel walls and . Red yeast rice and Lipitor work in similar ways to lower cholesterol levels. They may be caused by another problem and not the medicine. Atorvastatin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. According to new research, primary prevention patients who were unable to tolerate statins showed reduced cardiovascular events after taking bempedoic acid. Cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Lipitor. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? If youve had an allergic reaction to Lipitor or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely wont prescribe Lipitor. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. Is it always possible to manage high cholesterol with diet and exercise alone? They do this primarily by reducing a persons low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The list below includes contraindications of Lipitor. While both these fats are important for your body, they can also cause problems in excess. While statins, or medications for high cholesterol, can help manage cholesterol levels, youll still need to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. This may increase your risk of side effects, including myopathy (muscle pain), rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), and liver problems. Bempedoic acid demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the risk of cardiac events along with statins. A harmful drug interaction could cause unexpected side effects or lower a medications effectiveness. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. Studies show that food decreases the rate and extent of absorption (also known as bioavailability). Do not stop taking your medicine without talking with your provider first. Mixing atorvastatin with herbal remedies and supplements. Suppose you take a pill at 10 p.m. daily. There are different brands of statin drugs, including less expensive, generic forms. See additional information. Atorvastatin is a statin medicine used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Regular blood tests will help you and your provider: Though rare, more serious side effects are possible. Before you start taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Learn more about the symptoms of statin intolerance. Are there other interactions with Lipitor? What is atorvastatin and how does it work? Your doctor can recommend a different treatment option for you. The recommended time, which is something that a person should discuss with their doctor, will vary depending on the type of statin. If youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your treatment options. Learn more about A.D.A.M. Yes, its likely safe to take Lipitor and sildenafil (Viagra) together. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. He's answered thousands of medication and pharmacy-related questions and he's ready to answer yours! The mild increases in liver and kidney markers are not likely to be clinically meaningful, Gianos stated. Swap saturated and trans fats for healthier fats, such as olive, peanut, and other vegetable oils. A: While taking atorvastatin ( Lipitor ), avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods as part of your overall treatment. Underactive thyroid. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and digestive fluids. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Should you fast before a cholesterol test? Take your medicine as directed. How does cheese affect cholesterol levels? New research suggests that intense exercise could lead to stroke in people with blocked carotid arteries, a condition affecting 3% of the general. If you have trouble swallowing, you may open it and mix the contents with 1 teaspoon of soft food (eg, applesauce, or chocolate or vanilla pudding). You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions. No, Lipitor isnt known to interact with lab tests. If this is the case, the test should not be done following strenuous exercise. You should not take Lipitor while pregnant. The people who took these statins toward the end of the day had lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared with the people who took them in the morning. Studies have shown that statins are effective in improving a persons cholesterol levels: It is important that a person taking statins follows the advice of their prescribing doctor regarding the time of day to take them. Therefore, it is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking statins unless a doctor says it is safe. Your health care provider will work with you to lower your cholesterol by improving your diet. No, there arent any known interactions between Lipitor and lisinopril (Zestril). What is Lipitor? Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Lipitor. There arent any known interactions between these drugs. There arent any known interactions between Lipitor and alcohol. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Caffeine is present in certain food and drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and tea. The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Lipitor. Eat a healthy breakfast, like fortified, low-sugar whole grain cereal and a piece of fruit. According to a new study published in JAMA, these patients who were unable to tolerate statins, experienced reduced risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke after taking bempedoic acid. A.D.A.M. Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. This can cause Lipitor to build up in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects. The usual dose for adults is between 10mg and 80mg a day. If youre currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. This article has been viewed 9,728 times. But this doesnt mean that vitamin interactions wont be recognized in the future. If you have any liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Lipitor. If you need to take an antifungal drug during your Lipitor treatment, talk with your doctor first. According to new research, patients who were unable to tolerate statins showed reduced cardiovascular events after taking bempedoic acid. Atorvastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol may increase that risk. And the paperwork (sometimes called the patient package insert or medication guide) may have other details about interactions. There arent any known interactions between these drugs. Cholesterol can stick to the walls of your arteries and narrow or block them. Ask your doctor for advice about starting an exercise routine, especially if you have a history of heart or joint issues. Its a good idea to keep VLDL levels low, which may prevent cardiovascular diseases. In this way, they can further lower their risk of heart disease. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,728 times. It takes longer for the body to process long-acting statins, which may have a half-life of up to 19 hours. Its not safe to take Lipitor while breastfeeding. Last Updated: May 25, 2021 Statins are also called lipid-lowering medications or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Its likely safe for you to take these medications together. Atorvastatin also boosts the breakdown of lipids. Place it in your mouth, take a sip of water, then swallow the tablet whole. Eat more fruits and veggies, and do your best to avoid sweets and junk food. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Dosage for children Others may be taken with, or without food. Last updated on Jan 19, 2022. Taking Lipitor exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions. Answer Per the prescribing information for Lipitor, it can be taken with or without food. Lipitor is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Statins come in a range of types and dosages. Be sure to tell your provider before taking any new medicines. Or your doctor may lower your Lipitor dose. Most people who take statins do so once a day. Here, we answer the most common questions about takingAtorvastatin, including whether you need to avoid certain foods or drinks, what side effects to expect and if you can drive while using the medication: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking atorvastatin. For this reason, its still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Lipitor. Should I let you know if I start taking other medications or supplements during my Lipitor treatment? Nevertheless, the study states that these decreases in drug absorption do noteffect how much Lipitor lowers LDL (i.e. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Natural remedies for high cholesterol levels. lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, chest pain, or need for certain heart surgeries in adults who: have heart disease, or are at risk for heart disease and other heart-related conditions lower. They reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Take atorvastatin exactly as directed. In some cases, they may be able to recommend specific antifungal treatments that dont interact with Lipitor. If you do experience more side effects than usual, your doctor may recommend a different birth control option for you. Trustworthy Source Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Your dose depends on the reason why you're taking it, your cholesterol levels, and what other medicines you're taking. These medications have also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Taking atorvastatin is not a substitute for eating a healthy, balanced diet. In many cases, a medical professional is likely to advise the person to eat a diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fat, free of trans fats, and rich in fruits and vegetables. For atorvastatin specifically, you can take it either in the morning or at night, as long as you take it consistently. He graduated from the University At Buffalo with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2010. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. They can determine how much caffeine may be safe during your treatment. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with atorvastatin. Store all of your medicines in a cool, dry place. Due to this risk, if you have liver problems, your doctor will likely recommend that you take a different medication for your cholesterol. Your doctor may recommend avoiding red yeast rice when youre taking Lipitor. However, food doesaffect absorption of Lipitor, but this should not have any impact on the cholesterol lowering ability of the drug. A statin may be prescribed along with other medicines. Monitor for side effects, such as liver problems. In addition, Lipitor can be used to reduce other heart-related risks in adults with high cholesterol. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. People who are taking statins may need to take them indefinitely. When your healthcare provider prescribes you a high-intensity statin like atorvastatin, they will usually schedule follow up lab work to be completed after about eight weeks of medication.