About atorvastatin as atorvastatin calcium
Statin cholesterol-lowering medicine
Used for
- Lowers high LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
- Reduces risk of heart attack and stroke
- Treats inherited high cholesterol
Usual adult dose
Usually 10–80 mg once daily; dose depends on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.
Usual dose in children
Usually 10–20 mg once daily for children aged 10–17 with inherited high cholesterol.
Common side effects
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Diarrhea or nausea
- Headache
- Raised liver enzymes
Important warnings
- Seek urgent care for severe muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine.
- Liver problems can occur; testing may be needed.
- Avoid during active liver disease.
- Risk of muscle injury may increase with some medicines.
Pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy; stop if pregnancy occurs, as cholesterol treatment is generally unnecessary then.
Breastfeeding
Avoid breastfeeding while taking atorvastatin; treatment and breastfeeding are generally not used together.
Interactions
- Some antibiotics and antifungals can raise atorvastatin levels.
- Grapefruit may increase side effects, especially in large amounts.
- Other cholesterol medicines, including fibrates, can increase muscle injury risk.
- Tell clinicians about HIV or hepatitis medicines and cyclosporine.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.