Get Informed: Lipitor
Active Ingredient(s)
Atorvastatin
What does it do?
This product is primarily used to reduce cholesterol. It works by blocking an important enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) used by the body to produce cholesterol.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Jul-31 4:27 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Jul-30 9:10 PM
Other Names
- Lipitor
- Atorvastatin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- X
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 17 Dec 1996
- Est US Patients*
- 7,795,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Lipitor or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Lipitor Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Lipitor interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Lipitor used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 57,600 patients that use Lipitor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | 97% |
mild
severe
|
| High Triglycerides | 16% |
mild
severe
|
| Other | 2% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Lipitor work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 57,600 users taking Lipitor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 84%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lipitor outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lipitor.
Common Side Effects of Lipitor
iGuard regularly polls our more than 57,600 users taking Lipitor (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
17% of patients experience side-effects on Lipitor
4% of patients experience significant side-effects on Lipitor
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Bloating/Gas, Bone/Joint Pain, Constipation, Cough, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Loss of Libido, Numbness/Tingling, Weakness, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Lipitor (Atorvastatin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 56 year old female. I was taking Lipitor and Tricor. I was experiencing muscle pains in my legs and back. I tired easy and mentally fatigued. Can the combination of these two drugs cause all these problems. How long does it take to get it out of your system. My doctor took me off both drugs. But I still feel tired and fatigued and I am still having muscle pains in my legs.
56 year old female: Member of IGuard.
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-03 09:29:58
Question/Comment:
has anybody experienced a chronic cough taking lipitor?
60 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-01 23:51:48
Answer/Reply:
Yes - I`ve developed an annoying tickly cough since taking Lipitor. I usually get one or two fits of it a day, so don`t worry unduly, but was worried that it might start during a recent cataract operation! If I had suspected Lipitor I would not have taken them for a few days prior to the procedure. I wouldn`t stop them as they are working much better than previous statins.
Female Source: iGuard United Kingdom
Posted: 2010-06-18 08:07:47
Question/Comment:
On what scientific studies have you based your warning that Lipitor can cause another stroke once you've had one? I suffered a stroke a year ago and am still taking Lipitor. In fact, my doctor wanted to increase my dosage from 40 to 80 mg. and I refused based on your recommendation. Reva - a 70 yr. old female
70 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-26 09:39:35
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The prescribing information for Lipitor warns about an increase risk of stroke in a select group of patients taking Lipitor - patients without heart disease but with stroke or TIA within the previous 6 months had a higher risk of a bleeding stroke when taking Lipitor 80 mg than similar patients taking placebo.
You should work with your doctor to discuss your specific risks and benefits of taking Lipitor
Posted: 2010-06-15 17:52:17
Question/Comment:
I am male, 63 yrs. old. I had a severe cardiac arrest Oct. 2008 with a 95% blockage to the LAD coronary artery. Two stents (Promus) have been placed. I was put on Plavix and Lipitor for the stents (the doctor said I had to take this 2 drugs to keep the stents open). I was also put on Lisinipril, Lopressor, and aspirin. I also take Metformin for my diabetes. I have been experencing fatique, legs cramping, loss of physical energy, loss of mental energy, and loss of sleep. My doctor says she will not change my medication. I want to feel good again and I believe that all this medicine is keeping my body from this. Can you give me any advise on any of this. I just want to feel good again. Please help me.
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-18 11:52:04
Answer/Reply:
I believe you are correct. I don't see how anyone could feel good taking that kind of cocktail of pills every day.
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-22 12:19:59
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The combination of Lopressor and lisinopril can cause increased drowsiness. Make sure to have blood work done, as sometimes an electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle aches. Lipitor can also cause muscle aches, so it is important to report this to your doctor immediately.
Posted: 2010-05-05 11:23:00
Answer/Reply:
I am a 59 year old female who had a 2 way bypass, also diabetic. Take basically same medication you do except Plavix. I was feeling same way until they adjusted my Lopressor. My pulse rate got to 45 and I just couldn't function. It's now between 52 and 57 and feel great. You might have your doctor check this. Took a few adjustments to get it there but well worth effort.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-10 17:21:40
Answer/Reply:
Thank you for your comment. I have now developed pain behind my knee (along with all the other problems). My cardiologist said she wants to check to vessels in my legs now. I go next week and I am going to ask her about stopping the lopressor or changing to a different drug that might not make me feel so bad.
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-13 10:52:03
Answer/Reply:
I am a 59 year old female who has had a 2 way bypass and diabetic also. I take same group of drugs except Plavix. I also felt same until my Lopressor was adjusted. My pulse rate was down at 45 and feeling awful. Now its between 52 and 57 and feel great. Took a while to determine that was problem so you might give it a try...talk to your doctor. It certainly can't hurt.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-05-10 17:26:30
Answer/Reply:
I am a 61 yr old male and like you I had a heart attack with a 99% blockage to the LAD with stent placement. Although that was 10 years ago, I was given almost exactly the same drugs. But I was taken off the Plavix after a month or two because my Dr. said most stents, if they are going to re-clog at the stent (restenosis?) will do so within 6 months. I still take most of the others except I changed from the blood pressure med Lopressor to Bisoprolol because of fatigue. It's better, but frankly, I take only half that dosage now since I don't have high blood pressure.
61 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-03 09:08:06
Answer/Reply:
Thank you for your comment. I have gone back to my doctor and talked to her about the Lopressor. She would not change the drug, but she did take the dosage down from 2 times a day to once a day. I do not feel as fatigued, but I still want to take several naps a day. I do not know if this is normal. I really want to have the energy to be able to exercise (walk) and I just don't. Maybe it's all the other medications that I take thats causing the problem. Any suggestions?
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-08 13:14:36
Question/Comment:
I just heard that a person should refrain from consuming grapefruit while taking a statin. Does this mean at the time your are taking the pill or forever remove grapefruit from your diet?
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-04-16 11:27:29
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Grapefruit juice should not be ingested by any person taking a statin because it causes the level of statin to increase in your body. Remove it from your diet while you are on statin therapy. If you stop taking the statin, you can add grapefruit back into your diet.
Posted: 2010-05-01 15:13:06
Answer/Reply:
If you are taking a statin STAY AWAY FROM GRAPEFRUIT ALWAYS.
82 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-06 01:32:06
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
299
Patient Comments About
Lipitor