Generic Lipitor ® : ATORVASTATIN
Atorvastatin is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Lipitor ®
Lipitor ® is the registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Other Popular Brand Names
Sortis; Tahor

Medication information about generic Lipitor Important information about usage, risks and possible side-effects..

Tablets Chemical Name: ATORVASTATIN ( a-TORE-va-sta-tin)

Possible Uses of This Medication This medicine is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking fibrates ( e.g., gemfibrozil), mibefradil, azole antifungals ( e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), or telithromycin. Very serious, possibly fatal, interactions may occur. If you are currently using any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting atorvastatin. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking cyclosporine, macrolide antibiotics ( e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin), niacin ( nicotinic acid), antacids, digoxin, cholestyramine, colestipol, birth control bills, nefazodone, protease inhibitors ( e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), rifamycins ( e.g., rifampin), spironolactone, cimetidine, imatinib, bosentan, dalfopristin, or quinupristin. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, eye problems ( e.g., cataracts), thyroid problems, uncontrolled seizures, recent major surgery or trauma, alcohol use, allergies ( especially to other 'statin' or cholesterol-lowering drugs), pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of active liver disease. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

How to take this medication Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Try to take this medicine at the same time each day. AVOID EATING GRAPEFRUIT OR DRINKING GRAPEFRUIT JUICE while taking this medicine.

Cautions FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN provided by your doctor. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS before the full benefits of this medicine takes effect. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TAKING THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS ( e.g., liver function tests, blood cholesterol levels) while you are using this medicine. THIS DRUG MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DAILY USE OF ALCOHOL may increase your chance for serious side effects. Limit alcoholic beverages. BEFORE HAVING ANY KIND OF SURGERY, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. FOR WOMEN: DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are pregnant. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU COULD BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor immediately. It is recommended that women of child-bearing age use effective birth control measures while taking this medicine, since it may cause fetal harm. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or stomach upset/pain. If it continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY INFREQUENTLY cause muscle damage ( which can rarely lead to a very serious condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taking this drug and tell your doctor immediately if you develop muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness ( especially with fever or unusual tiredness). CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience joint pain, chest pain, or swelling in the arms or legs. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, change in the amount of urine, vision problems, black stool, or severe stomach pain. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take with and without a prescription.

Missed Dose IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. do not double the next dose

Storage Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Other Information Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medicine. It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure. Discuss this with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.