What Atorvastatin is used for:
Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low fat diet and life style changes on their own have failed. 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.
Do not take Atorvastatin:
• if you are allergic to atorvastatin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• if you have or have ever had a disease which affects the liver
• if you have had any unexplained abnormal blood tests for liver function
• if you are a woman able to have children and not using reliable contraception
• if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• if you are breastfeeding
• if you use the combination of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in the treatment of hepatitis C.
Warnings and precautions:
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Atorvastatin:
• if you have severe respiratory failure
• if you are taking or have taken in the last 7 days a medicine called fusidic acid
• if you have had a previous stroke with bleeding into the brain
• if you have kidney problems
Possible side effects:
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects or symptoms, stop taking your tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department.
• Serious allergic reaction
• Serious illness with severe peeling and swelling of the skin
• Muscle weakness
Other medicines and Atorvastatin:
There are some medicines that may change the effect of Atorvastatin or their effect may be changed by Atorvastatin:
• Medicines used to alter the way your immune system works
• Certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines
• Other medicines to regulate lipid levels
• Some calcium channel blockers used for angina or high blood pressure
• Letermovir
• Medicines used in the treatment of HIV and in the treatment of hepatitis