Has your doctor prescribed you a pill called Atorvastatin to control your cholesterol? Or does anyone in your family use this medication? This is a medication that is commonly used to control cholesterol in our country and around the world. You may know it by the brand name 'Lipitor'. So today, let's talk about this important medication for many people in a simple and straightforward way.
What kind of medicine is Atorvastatin?
Simply put, atorvastatin is a medicine that lowers the level of cholesterol in your blood. It also helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
There are good and bad types of cholesterol in our bodies.
- Bad cholesterol: We call these ``(LDL)`` and ``(triglycerides).`` These can build up in the blood vessels and clog them.
- Good cholesterol: We call this ``(HDL)``. These are good for the body.
Now, what this Atorvastatin pill does is reduce the bad cholesterol in your body and increase the good cholesterol. This medicine belongs to a group of drugs called 'statins'. But remember, taking this medicine alone is not enough. Along with this, you must also control your diet and exercise .
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving you atorvastatin, your doctor will ask you some questions. But don't forget to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. This is very important for your safety.
| Situation you should be aware of | Description |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | If you have previously had or currently have a liver disease such as jaundice. |
| Kidney disease | If there is any weakness in the kidneys. |
| Diabetes | If you are diabetic. |
| Thyroid problems (Thyroid disease) | If you have an underactive or overactive thyroid gland. |
| Alcohol use | If you are a regular drinker. |
| Muscle pain | If you constantly feel pain or stiffness in your body or muscles. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. (This is very important) |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to atorvastatin or any other medicine or food. |
How should I use the medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but it is very important to follow it exactly.
- Take exactly as your doctor tells you: Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the time prescribed.
- Take it at the same time every day: As much as possible, try to take your medicine at the same time every day. In the morning if it's morning, in the evening if it's nighttime.
- Before or after meals: This pill can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to. It's not a good idea to stop taking it just because your symptoms have subsided.
- Do not take with grapefruit juice: This is very important. Avoid drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. It can affect the way the medicine works.
If you give it to children
This medicine can also be prescribed to children over the age of 10 in some special cases. However, this decision is made by a pediatrician.
Warning: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never give your medicine to someone else, even if their symptoms are similar.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more medicine than the prescribed dose, immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Forgetting to take your medicine is something that can happen to anyone. If that happens, don't worry.
- As soon as you remember, drink the forgotten amount.
- However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take the next pill at the scheduled time.
- Never take two pills at once. Doing so may increase the dose.
Other medications that may interact with Atorvastatin
When you take atorvastatin, the risk of side effects from certain other medications may increase. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies) .
Special care should be taken when using atorvastatin with the following medications.
| Drugs that should never be taken with atorvastatin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Other medications that should be used with caution | |
| Other cholesterol-lowering medications | Ex: Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil, Niacin |
| Some antibiotics | Eg: Erythromycin, Clarithromycin |
| Antifungals | Ex: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole |
| Some medications for HIV or hepatitis | Antiviral drugs |
| Other medications | Colchicine, Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Rifampin, Birth Control Pills |
Things to consider when taking medication
- Regular medical checkups: Go to the clinic at the scheduled times as prescribed by your doctor to check your blood cholesterol levels and liver function.
- Muscle pain: Some people may experience muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness while taking this medicine. This can be serious, especially if the urine turns dark . If this happens, stop taking the medicine immediately and tell your doctor.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may cause a slight increase in blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in some people. People with diabetes should be especially careful about this.
- Surgery: If you are scheduled to have any surgery, tell the medical team in advance that you are taking atorvastatin.
- Alcohol: If you drink more than two glasses of alcohol daily, the risk of liver damage with this medication increases.
- Pregnancy: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby. If you are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about it and get appropriate advice.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, atorvastatin can cause side effects in some people. Most people don't. But it's important to be aware of these.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Muscle injury | Unusual muscle aches, body aches, weakness, decreased urine output, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Increased blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, unusual fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Usually not serious, but tell your doctor if it persists. | |
| Stomach ache | Stomach fullness, slight pain. |
| Diarrhea | - |
| Nausea | - |
| Insomnia | - |
How to take care of the medicine?
- Keep away from children: Always keep medicines out of the reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature: Store in a dry place between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Expired Medicine: Do not use medicine after the expiration date. Dispose of expired medicine properly. If you are unsure, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Atorvastatin is an important medication for controlling cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you may have.
- If you experience unusual muscle pain, yellowing of the skin, or dark urine, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking the medication.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. It can be very harmful to the baby.
- This is not a magic pill. A good diet and exercise are essential for a healthy life.
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