Generic Lipitor
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is an inexpensive drug that lowers levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Atorvastatin may also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with risk factors for heart disease. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. As of 2011, it is available in generic and brand versions. Generic atorvastatin is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. The lowest USA Rx price for the most common version of atorvastatin is around $3.60, 95% off the average retail price of $86.07.
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Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (e.g., chest pain, heart attack, or stroke) that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems.
Atorvastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, and this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Save up to 95% on Atorvastatin Find big savings at pharmacies near you with USA Rx discount coupons |
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Average Retail Price: |
Lowest USA Rx Price $3.60 |
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
In addition to this medicine, your doctor may change your diet to one that is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Carefully follow your doctor's orders about any special diet.
Take this medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. Take this medicine with or without food.
Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with atorvastatin. This could cause unwanted effects on the liver.
Tell your doctor if you regularly drink grapefruit juice. Drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 liters each day) while you take this medicine may increase your risk of muscle injury and could result in kidney problems.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
However, do not take 2 doses of this medicine within 12 hours.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in children 10 to 17 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 10 years of age.
Teenage girls taking atorvastatin should be counseled on appropriate birth control methods to prevent pregnancy.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related muscle problems, which may require caution in patients receiving atorvastatin.
Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
All Trimesters | X | Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. |
Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. These could be symptoms of serious muscle problems, such as myopathy or immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be symptoms of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney problems.
Call your doctor right away if you get a headache, stomach pain, vomiting, dark-colored urine, loss of appetite, weight loss, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, light-colored stools, upper right stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of liver damage.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have a major surgery, major injury, or you develop other serious health problems. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check-ups. You may need regular tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
Your 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.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.
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 need surgery or other procedure, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine.
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.
This medicine may cause a decrease in Co-Enzyme Q-10. You should make sure that you get enough Co-Enzyme Q-10 while you are taking this medicine. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your health care professional.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Cough
Difficulty with swallowing
Dizziness
Fast heartbeat
Fever
Hives
Itching
Muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, swelling, or weakness
Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
Skin rash
Tightness in the chest
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Wheezing
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
Chills
Dark-colored urine
Diarrhea
Joint pain
Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
Red skin lesions, often with a purple center sore
Red, irritated eyes
Sore throat
Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Headache
Hoarseness
Lower back or side pain
Pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
Painful or difficult urination
Stuffy or runny nose
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain
Back pain
Belching or excessive gas
Constipation
General feeling of discomfort or illness
Heartburn, indigestion, or stomach discomfort
Lack or loss of strength
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Shivering
Sweating
Trouble sleeping
Vomiting
Incidence not known
Appetite increased
Black, tarry stools
Bloody nose
Bloody or cloudy urine
Blurred vision
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
Difficult, burning, or painful urination
Difficulty seeing at night
Excessive muscle tone or tension
Fruit-like breath odor
Groin or scrotum pain
Inability to have or keep an erection
Increased body movements
Increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
Increased sensitivity to touch or pain
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Loss of bladder control
Loss of sexual ability, drive, or desire
Menstrual bleeding occurring earlier or lasting longer than usual
Mental depression
Nervousness
Nightmares
Pale skin
Paranoia
Pinpoint red spots on the skin
Slurred speech
Swollen or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
Unable to move or feel face
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Weight loss
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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