Atorvastatin: 15 possible side effects worth knowing
The phrase “hidden dangers your doctor may never mention” is misleading. Atorvastatin is a well-studied statin used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Most people tolerate it well.
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Possible side effects include:
Muscle aches or soreness
Muscle weakness
Muscle cramps or spasms
Joint pain
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Indigestion or stomach discomfort
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas/flatulence
Sleep problems
Tiredness or weakness
Increased blood sugar in some people
Liver-enzyme changes; memory loss or confusion have also been reported, although these are uncommon.
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🚨 The symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
Seek prompt medical attention for unexplained severe muscle pain or weakness, especially with dark/brown urine, fever, or unusual tiredness. Rarely, statins can cause severe muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis), which can damage the kidneys.
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Also contact a healthcare professional if you develop possible liver symptoms such as yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, nausea/vomiting, or upper-abdominal pain. Serious liver injury is rare.
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FDA Access Data
What you can do
Don’t stop atorvastatin on your own. Stopping can allow cholesterol to rise and remove some cardiovascular protection.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist about new or persistent symptoms.
Make sure they know about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you’re taking.
Some antibiotics, antifungals, antiviral medicines, heart medicines, and other drugs can increase atorvastatin’s side-effect risk. Grapefruit juice can also increase exposure.
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Bottom line: Don’t be frightened by a long side-effect list. Serious reactions are uncommon, while the cardiovascular benefits of atorvastatin can be substantial for people who need it.
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