About atorvastatin calcium
Statin cholesterol-lowering medicine
Used for
- Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
- Helps prevent heart attack and stroke
Usual adult dose
Usually 10–80 mg once daily, adjusted to cholesterol levels and treatment goals.
Usual dose in children
For familial high cholesterol, ages 10–17: usually 10 mg once daily; maximum 20 mg daily.
Common side effects
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Headache
- Raised liver enzyme levels
Important warnings
- Report unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine promptly.
- Rarely causes serious muscle breakdown or liver injury.
- Not recommended during pregnancy; stop if pregnancy occurs.
- Liver disease may make treatment unsuitable.
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy; atorvastatin may harm fetal development. Discontinue if pregnancy occurs.
Breastfeeding
Not recommended while breastfeeding; an alternative treatment or feeding plan may be needed.
Interactions
- Certain antibiotics and antifungals can increase side effects.
- Grapefruit may increase atorvastatin levels, especially in large amounts.
- Other cholesterol medicines, including fibrates, can increase muscle injury risk.
- Some antivirals and cyclosporine can raise atorvastatin levels.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.