Lipitor Patient Information

Lipitor 1 mg (Atorvastatin Calcium)

Read all of this carefully before you start taking this medicine.

What is LIPITOR? 

LIPITOR is a prescription medicine that lowers cholesterol in your blood. It lowers the LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL-C (“good” cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR is for adults and children over 10 whose cholesterol does not come down enough with exercise and a low-fat diet alone. 

LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients who have risk factors for heart disease such as: 

• age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL-C, heart disease in the family, or 

• diabetes with risk factor such as eye problems, kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure LIPITOR starts to work in about 2 weeks.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats that are made in your body. They are also found in foods. You need some cholesterol for good health, but too much is not good for you. Cholesterol and triglycerides can clog your blood vessels. It is especially important to lower your cholesterol if you have heart disease, smoke, have diabetes or high blood pressure, are older, or if heart disease starts early in your family. 

Who Should Not Take LIPITOR?

Do not take LIPITOR if you: 

• are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant. LIPITOR may harm your unborn baby. If you get pregnant, stop taking LIPITOR and call your doctor right away.are breast feeding. LIPITOR can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. 
• have liver problems 
• are allergic to LIPITOR or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is atorvastatin. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in LIPITOR. LIPITOR has not been studied in children under 10 years of age. 

Before You Start LIPITOR 

Tell your doctor if you: 

• have muscle aches or weakness 
• drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily 
• have diabetes 
• have a thyroid problem.

Some medicines should not be taken with LIPITOR. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. 

LIPITOR and certain other medicines can interact causing serious side effects. 

Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines for:

• your immune system 
• cholesterol 
• infections 
• birth control 
• heart failure 
• HIV or AIDS Know all the medicines you take. 

Keep a list of them with you to show your doctor and pharmacist. 

How Should I Take LIPITOR? 

Take LIPITOR exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop LIPITOR without talking to your doctor. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during your treatment with LIPITOR. 

Your dose of LIPITOR may be changed based on these blood test results.

• Take LIPITOR each day at any time of day at about the same time each day. LIPITOR can be taken with or without food. Don’t break LIPITOR tablets before taking. 
• Your doctor should start you on a low-fat diet before giving you LIPITOR. Stay on this low-fat diet when you take LIPITOR.
• If you miss a dose of LIPITOR, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take LIPITOR if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of LIPITOR at the same time. 
• If you take too much LIPITOR or overdose, call your doctor or Poison Control Center right away. Or go to the nearest emergency room. 

What Should I Avoid While Taking LIPITOR?

Talk to your doctor before you start any new medicines. This includes prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. 

LIPITOR and certain other medicines can interact causing serious side effects. 

Do not get pregnant. If you get pregnant, stop taking LIPITOR right away and call your doctor. 

What are the Possible Side Effects of LIPITOR? 

LIPITOR can cause serious side effects. These side effects have happened only to a small number of people. Your doctor can monitor you for them. These side effects usually go away if your dose is lowered or LIPITOR is stopped. These serious side effects include: 

• Muscle problems. LIPITOR can cause serious muscle problems that can lead to kidney problems, including kidney failure. You have a higher chance for muscle problems if you are taking certain other medicines with LIPITOR. 
• Liver problems. LIPITOR can cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking LIPITOR, and Call your doctor right away if you have:
• muscle problems like weakness, tenderness, or pain that happen without a good reason, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual 
• nausea and vomiting 
• passing brown or dark-colored urine 
• you feel more tired than usual 
• your skin and whites of your eyes get yellow
• stomach pain 

Common side effects of LIPITOR include headache, constipation, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach and stomach pain, rash, and muscle and joint pain. These side effects are usually mild and may go away. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that bother you or that will not go away. These are not all the side effects of LIPITOR. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. 

How Do I Store LIPITOR? 

Store LIPITOR at room temperature, 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C). 

Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. 

Keep LIPITOR and all medicines out of the reach of children. Be sure that if you throw medicine away, it is out of the reach of children.

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