What You Should Know About Taking LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) Tablets
Along with a low-fat diet, taking LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets as the doctor recommends may help manage cholesterol. But taking LIPITOR correctly is essential.
How Should I Take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) Tablets?
Take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop LIPITOR without talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during your treatment with LIPITOR. Your dose of LIPITOR may be changed based on these blood test results.
Take LIPITOR each day at any time of day at about the same time each day. LIPITOR can be taken with or without food. Don't break LIPITOR tablets before taking.
Your doctor should start you on a low-fat diet before giving you LIPITOR. Stay on this low-fat diet when you take LIPITOR.
If you miss a dose of LIPITOR, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take LIPITOR if it has been more than 12 hours since you missed your last dose. Wait and take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses of LIPITOR at the same time.
If you take too much LIPITOR or overdose, call your doctor or Poison Control Center right away. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
What Should I Avoid While Taking LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) Tablets?
Talk to your doctor before you start any new medicines. This includes:
- Prescription and nonprescription medicines
- Vitamins
- Herbal supplements
LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets and certain other medicines can interact, causing serious side effects.
Do not get pregnant. If you get pregnant, stop taking LIPITOR right away, and call your doctor.
LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are not for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before starting LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets and during your treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
INDICATION
LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are a prescription medicine that is used along with a low-fat diet. It lowers the LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL ("good") cholesterol as well. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.
LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as diabetic eye or kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets are not for everyone, including anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before starting LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets and during your treatment if you have symptoms of liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) tablets.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Copyright 2006-2012 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved.
The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.
LEP486505-01/LEP00059B10