The
following information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,
pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be
construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before using this drug.
Online
Atorvastatin Use Indication:
Atorvastatin
comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with
or without food. To help you remember to take atorvastatin, take it
around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to
explain any part you do not understand. Take atorvastatin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of atorvastatin and gradually
increase your dose.
Continue to take atorvastatin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking
atorvastatin without talking to your doctor.
Atorvastatin
Medication Side Effects:
Atorvastatin may cause side effects. Tell your
doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects
can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you
experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
-
muscle pain, tenderness, or
weakness
-
lack of energy or fever
-
yellowing of the skin or eyes
Atorvastatin may
cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual
problems while taking this medication.
Precautions on using Atorvastatin Medication
Before taking atorvastatin,
-
tell your doctor and pharmacist if
you are allergic to atorvastatin or any other medications.
-
tell your doctor and pharmacist
what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure
to mention any of the following: antifungal medications such as
itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet);
digoxin (Lanoxin); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin);
medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); other
cholesterol-lowering medications such as fenofibrate (Tricor),
gemfibrozil (Lopid), and niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan); and
spironolactone (Aldactone). Your doctor may need to change the doses
of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
-
tell your doctor if you drink
large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had liver or
kidney disease.
-
tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you
become pregnant while taking atorvastatin, stop taking atorvastatin
and call your doctor immediately. Atorvastatin may harm the fetus.
-
if you are having surgery,
including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are
taking atorvastatin.
-
if you have a severe infection,
surgery, an injury, low blood pressure, or seizures while taking
atorvastatin, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication for a
while.
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