Atorvastatin: Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-diabetes
-if you often drink alcohol
-history of stroke
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-muscle aches or weakness
-thyroid disease
-an unusual or allergic reaction to atorvastatin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

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Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take with grapefruit juice. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What if I miss a dose?

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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If your next dose is to be taken in less than 12 hours, then do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-red yeast rice
-telaprevir
-telithromycin
-voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-alcohol
-antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS
-boceprevir
-certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
-certain medicines for cholesterol like fenofibrate or gemfibrozil
-cimetidine
-clarithromycin
-colchicine
-cyclosporine
-digoxin
-female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
-grapefruit juice
-medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole
-niacin
-rifampin
-spironolactone

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

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Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.

Tell your doctor or health care professional right away if you get any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever and tiredness. Your doctor or health care professional may tell you to stop taking this medicine if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medicine, contact your health care professional.

This drug is only part of a total heart-health program. Your doctor or a dietician can suggest a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to help. Avoid alcohol and smoking, and keep a proper exercise schedule.

Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious side effects to an unborn child or to an infant are possible. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

If you are going to have surgery tell your health care professional that you are taking this drug.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-dark urine
-fever
-joint pain
-muscle cramps, pain
-redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
-unusually weak or tired
-yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
-constipation
-heartburn
-stomach gas, pain, upset