What Is Atorvastatin and Why Is It Commonly Prescribed?
Atorvastatin is a prescription medicine in the statin family. It lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by reducing the liver’s production of cholesterol and increasing the liver’s removal of LDL from the blood.
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Why doctors prescribe it
Atorvastatin is commonly prescribed to:
Lower high cholesterol and triglycerides.
Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in people with cardiovascular disease or who have a high risk of developing it.
Help protect people with conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease when their cardiovascular risk makes cholesterol-lowering treatment appropriate.
Treat inherited conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which can cause very high cholesterol.
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It works best alongside healthy eating, physical activity, and other measures recommended by your healthcare professional.
Is atorvastatin safe?
Most people tolerate it well. Possible side effects include headache, nausea, digestive problems, dizziness, and muscle aches.
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Rarely, statins can cause serious muscle injury or liver problems. Unexplained severe muscle pain or weakness, dark/brown urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes should be reported promptly.
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Atorvastatin also interacts with certain medicines, including some antibiotics, antifungals, antiviral medicines, and other cholesterol medications. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can increase the risk of side effects.
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Don’t stop atorvastatin simply because your cholesterol has improved. The lower cholesterol is often the result of the medication working, and stopping it can allow cholesterol to rise again. Discuss any concerns or side effects with your doctor or pharmacist first.
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Bottom line: Atorvastatin isn’t just a “cholesterol pill”—its major purpose is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in people who benefit from statin therapy.
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