Atorvastatin
Information about Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin uses
Atorvastatin is used in the treatment of high cholesterol.
How atorvastatin works
Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication (statin). It works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-CoA-reductase) that is required in the body to make cholesterol. It thus lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL).
Common side effects of atorvastatin
Headache, Stomach pain, Constipation, Feeling sick, Muscle pain, Weakness, Dizziness, Increased glucose level in blood
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Last updated on:
13 Jun 2019 | 12:14 PM (IST)
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Expert advice for Atorvastatin
- Inform your doctor if you experience fatigue, muscle weakness or muscle pain.
- Your doctor may monitor your liver function before starting the treatment and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you notice signs of liver problem such as yellowing of skin or eyes, unusually dark urine or stomach pains.
- Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar level regularly as Atorvastatin may cause an increase in your blood sugar level.
- Do not take Atorvastatin if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Frequently asked questions for Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin
Q. What should I know about high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat present in your blood. Total cholesterol is determined by the total amount of LDL and HDL cholesterol in the body. LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol. Bad cholesterol can build up in the wall of your blood vessels and slow or obstruct blood flow to your heart, brain, and other organs. This can cause heart diseases and stroke. HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol as it prevents the bad cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels. Triglycerides also are harmful fats found in your blood.
Q. Is Atorvastatin used for lowering cholesterol?
Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) lowering medicines. Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when low-fat diet and lifestyle changes fail to lower the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. If you are at an increased risk of heart disease, Atorvastatin can also be used to reduce such risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal. You should maintain a standard cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment.
Q. Can the use of Atorvastatin cause diabetes?
No, diabetes has not been reported as a side effect of Atorvastatin. However, it may increase your blood sugar levels. So, it is very important that you monitor your blood sugar levels regularly if you are taking Atorvastatin. Let your doctor know if you have diabetes mellitus and have been advised to take Atorvastatin. This is necessary because your doctor may need to monitor your blood sugar levels continuously.
Q. Can Atorvastatin lower the level of triglycerides?
Yes, Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) lowering medicines. Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when low-fat diet and lifestyle changes also fail to control cholesterol.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause weight loss?
No, Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause weight loss. However, weight gain has been reported as an uncommon side effect. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight loss while taking Atorvastatin.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes, Atorvastatin can cause erectile dysfunction in very rare cases. Please consult your doctor if you experience erectile dysfunction while taking Atorvastatin.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause diarrhea?
Yes, Diarrhea is a common side effect of Atorvastatin. Please consult your doctor if you experience diarrhea after taking Atorvastatin as the dose of your medicine may need to be changed.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause memory loss?
No, Atorvastatin does not cause loss of memory. However, it is an uncommon side effect of Atorvastatin, and may affect only 1 in 100 people. Please consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of memory loss after taking Atorvastatin.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause frequent urination?
No, Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause frequent urination. Please consult your doctor if you experience increased urinary frequency after taking Atorvastatin.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause high blood pressure?
No, Atorvastatin has not been reported to cause high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of high blood pressure while taking Atorvastatin.
Q. Is Atorvastatin safe to take?
Yes, Atorvastatin is safe if used in prescribed doses for the prescribed duration advised by your doctor.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause gas?
Yes, flatulence (gas or wind) is one of the common side effects associated with the use of Atorvastatin. If you have any such symptom while taking Atorvastatin, consult your doctor.
Q. Does Atorvastatin lower blood pressure?
Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug used in the treatment of increased cholesterol levels and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, studies show that Atorvastatin has a small blood-pressure lowering effect.
Q. Does Atorvastatin affect the liver?
Atorvastatin is rarely associated with hepatobiliary (liver, bladder, bile ducts, or bile) disorders. Its use is also linked with abnormal results of liver function test. Hence, getting liver function tests at regular intervals is recommended.
Q. Does Atorvastatin cause itching?
The use of Atorvastatin can cause itching and skin rash. If you experience any such symptom while using the drug, consult your doctor.
Q. What is Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering drug which belongs to group of medicines called statins (lipid-lowering agents) or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. This class of drugs lowers the cholesterol levels effectively by blocking the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. It lowers the cholesterol levels by blocking the formation of cholesterol.