In persons who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease, atorvastatin is taken in conjunction with diet, weight loss, and exercise to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke and to lower the likelihood that heart surgery will be required. In addition, atorvastatin is used to raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, popularly known as “good cholesterol,” and to lower levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), generally known as “bad cholesterol,” in the blood. Children and teenagers 10 to 17 years old who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia can also use atorvastatin to lower the levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances in their blood (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are a class of drugs that includes atorvastatin (statins). It functions by lessening the amount of cholesterol that could build up on the walls of the arteries and obstruct blood flow to the heart, brain, and other organs of the body.

Your arteries’ ability to carry blood and, consequently, oxygen to your heart, brain, and other organs is reduced as a result of the buildup of cholesterol and lipids (a condition known as atherosclerosis). Heart disease, angina (chest discomfort), strokes, and heart attacks can all be avoided by taking atorvastatin, which lowers the levels of cholesterol and fat in your blood.

Atorvastatin is available as an oral tablet. Typically, it is taken once day, with or without food. Atorvastatin should be taken every day at about the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Atropine should be taken exactly as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Your doctor can prescribe you a modest dose of atorvastatin to start, and then gradually raise it once every two to four weeks, if necessary.

Even if you feel good, keep taking atorvastatin. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking atorvastatin.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking atorvastatin,

• If you have an allergy to atorvastatin, any other drugs, or any of the substances in atorvastatin tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or intend to use. Make sure you bring up any of the following: Boceprevir (Victrelis), cimetidine (Tagamet), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cobicistat-containing drugs (Stribild), colchicine (Colcrys), and antifungal drugs such itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); additional cholesterol-lowering drugs such fenofibrate (Tricor), gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan); digoxin (Lanoxin); efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla); some HIV protease inhibitors, including darunavir (Prezista), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (in Kaletra’s Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), spironolactone (Aldactone), and telaprevir are immune system suppressing drugs (Incivek). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as other medications may also interact with atorvastatin.
• In case you have liver problems, let your doctor know. Even if you do not believe you have liver disease, your doctor will still conduct tests to see how well your liver is functioning. If you have liver disease, have ever had liver illness, or if testing indicate you might be developing liver disease, your doctor will likely advise against using atorvastatin.
• Inform your doctor if you consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day, are 65 years of age or older, have ever had liver illness, experience muscle pain or weakness, have diabetes, epilepsy, low blood pressure, thyroid or kidney disease, or any of the other conditions listed above.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know. If you are using atorvastatin, you shouldn’t get pregnant. See your physician about birth control options you can take while undergoing therapy. If you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, notify your doctor right away and stop taking the medication. The foetus could be harmed by atorvastatin.
• breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medicine.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking atorvastatin if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery. Inform the medical professional treating you that you are taking atorvastatin if you end up in the hospital as a result of a major injury or infection.
• Inquire with your doctor if drinking alcohol is okay for you to do so while taking atorvastatin. Drinking alcohol can make major side effects more likely.

Consume a diet low in cholesterol and fat. Make sure to adhere to all nutritional and exercise advice provided by your doctor or nutritionist. For more dietary advice, refer to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol tlc.pdf, the website of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).

When taking atorvastatin, refrain from consuming big amounts more than 1.2 litres (about 1 quart) each day.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. Nevertheless, omit the missed dose and go on with your regular dosing schedule if there are less than 12 hours until your next scheduled dose. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

There may be adverse consequences from atorvastatin. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Gas
• Joints hurt
• Memory loss or forgetfulness
• Confusion

Some adverse effects may be severe. Although the following signs are unusual, if you notice any of them, call your doctor or seek emergency assistance right away:

• Weakness, tenderness, or discomfort in the muscles
• Not enough energy
• Fever
• Chest ache
• Nausea
• Extreme fatigue
• Weakness
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Reduced appetite
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Flu-like signs
• Urine with a dark colour
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Edoema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes
• Hoarseness

Other adverse effects of atorvastatin could occur. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call emergency services at 911 right away if the sufferer has fallen, experienced a seizure, is having problems breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. During your therapy, your doctor could request specific lab tests, particularly if you start to experience symptoms of liver damage.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking atorvastatin prior to any laboratory test.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every drug you take, including prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications, vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. Every time you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital, you should carry this list with you. Also, it is crucial to have this knowledge on hand in case of emergency.