Studies show that some of the newer statins can be just as effective when taken in the morning. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are more potent than older statins. They have half-lives of at least 14 hours. Follow directions carefully for maximum effectiveness. Your doctor knows your personal medical issues and is your best source for information. Always ask if your statin should be taken with food or at a specific time of day.
Statins work best when taken at the same time each day. With some statins, drinking grapefruit juice, or eating grapefruit, is a bad idea. Grapefruit juice can cause that statin to stay in your body much longer, and the drug can build up. This can increase the risk of muscle breakdown, liver damage, and even kidney failure. Statins can also interact with other medications, so tell your doctor about all the drugs you take.
That includes supplements, over-the-counter medications, and prescription drugs. Statins can be effective in getting your cholesterol under control, but they come with risks. Some common side effects include muscle and joint aches, nausea, and headache. Serious risks include damage to your muscles, kidneys, and liver.
You should not become pregnant while you are taking atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking atorvastatin and call your doctor immediately. Atorvastatin may harm the fetus. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Be sure to follow all exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. Avoid drinking large amounts [more than 1. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Atorvastatin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.
However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Sometimes doctors may recommend taking it in the evening. This is because your body makes most cholesterol at night. If you're not sure when to take your medicine, ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice.
Atorvastatin doesn't upset the stomach, so you can take it with or without food. Swallow atorvastatin tablets whole with a glass of water. If you've been given chewable tablets, you can chew them or swallow them whole with a glass of water.
In children, the usual dose is 10mg to 20mg once a day. Your doctor will use your child's age to work out the amount of atorvastatin that's right for them. Your dose depends on the reason for taking it, your cholesterol levels , and what other medicines you're taking.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you're unsure how much to take. Don't reduce your dose without talking to your doctor first.
If you occasionally forget to take a dose, take your next dose the next day at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take extra doses. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you're worried or take more than 1 extra dose.
Like all medicines, atorvastatin can cause side effects in some people - and different statins affect people in different ways. One rare but serious side effect is unexplained muscle aches and pains , tenderness or weakness.
This can happen a few weeks or months after you first start taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist if side effects are bothering you. They may recommend trying an alternative statin. These common side effects of atorvastatin happen in more than 1 in people.
Some side effects may improve after the first few days, as your body gets used to the medicine. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away:. Report any unexplained muscle aches and pains, tenderness or weakness to a doctor straight away.
Less than 1 in people may have some memory loss. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if this side effect bothers you. It usually goes away after you stop taking the medicine. Serious side effects when taking atorvastatin are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1, people. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to atorvastatin. These are not all the side effects of atorvastatin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Atorvastatin isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as there's no firm evidence it's safe.
Talk to your doctor if you want to get pregnant. It's best to stop taking atorvastatin at least 3 months before you start trying for a baby. If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor. It's not known if atorvastatin gets into breast milk, but it may cause problems for your baby. Speak to your doctor about what's best for you and your baby while you're breastfeeding. It may be possible to delay starting or restarting atorvastatin until you've stopped breastfeeding completely.
Some medicines affect the way atorvastatin works and can increase the risk of serious side effects. If you're taking atorvastatin and need to take one of these medicines, your doctor may:. These are not all the medicines that can interfere with atorvastatin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet or check with your pharmacist. They should also tell a doctor if they notice any side effects.
Fasting before taking a cholesterol test used to be standard practice. Now, some doctors recommend that people do not fast before taking the test…. Statins are drugs that can reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. Learn about the types, their uses, and the risks of taking statins here.
In this article, learn about the different kinds of cholesterol, what different factors affect cholesterol levels, and when to contact a doctor. In this article, we look at a variety of lifestyle changes and natural supplements that help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart…. Most types of cheese are high in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Studies provide conflicting information about the relationship between cheese and…. What is the best time to take statins and why? Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm. What statins do Best times to take Which statin is right for me? Side effects Staying healthy Summary Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs. What do statins do? Share on Pinterest Statins can help manage cholesterol levels. Best time to take different statins. Which statin is right for me? Share on Pinterest A person can discuss the different types of statins with a doctor.
Side effects of statins. How to stay healthy when taking statins. Share on Pinterest Regular exercise can help lower the risk of heart disease. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.
0コメント