Atorvastatin 80 mg is a cholesterol-lowering medication that belongs to the statin drug class. Statins are medications that help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood.
Statins are also known to reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that atorvastatin 80 mg is as effective as other statins in reducing LDL cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
10, 20,40, and 80 mg Atorvastatin (Lipitor) are available. 80 mg is the highest, and here in this article, I’ll show some facts about this 80 mg statin’s side effects.
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Things to Consider Before Taking Atorvastatin 80 mg
- You are already started taking Atorvastatin 80 mg; you should not stop it until your doctor prescribes or tells you to stop.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is highly recommended to avoid Atorvastatin. Consult with your doctor about this issue.
- People with poor liver health, liver disease, or who have records of recent stroke should not take Atorvastatin.
- More than 175 drugs can have mild interaction and can cause mild issues with Atorvastatin.
- Talk to your doctor about your current health situation drugs, and your doctor will recheck whether you are eligible to take Atorvastatin or not.
- Statins can be metabolized differently by grapefruit enzymes. Grapefruit juice and grapefruits should not be consumed while taking statins.
- Based on a review of research published in 2019. The most common reason people stop taking statins is muscle pain. If you use too much muscle in daily activity, maybe you should go for an alternative. Talk to your doctor about that.
- Hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders are other health conditions that can trigger side effects of Atorvastatin 80 mg.
- Drinking too much alcohol can cause serious health damage with Atorvastatin.
- A healthy lifestyle can increase Atorvastatin’s effectiveness and decrease the chance of side effects.
Common Side Effects Of Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 80 mg
Review and research data show that additionally, Atorvastatin is safe. Patients can face mild side effects after starting it; these side effects do not require immediate medical attention.
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Getting headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling a little sick
- Feeling tired or weak
- Constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, or farting
- Pain in the muscles
- Lack of sleep
- A low level of blood platelets
Yes, these conditions do not need medical attention, but if anything from this lasts longer than 3-5 days, consulting your doctor will be wise.
Serious Side Effects Of Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 80 mg
In general, atorvastatin 80 mg is considered safe. This does not create serious issues in patients, but in some rare cases, it may cause :
- Muscle weakness in the hips, shoulders, neck, and back
- Having trouble lifting your arms, climbing, or standing;
- An upper stomach ache, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice
- Having trouble urinating, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
Please immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects of Atorvastatin 80 mg. Do not waste much time on the internet finding the reason.
Side Effects of Atorvastatin (Lipitor) with Alcohol
By drinking alcohol when you are taking Atorvastatin, your body’s triglyceride levels can be raised, and that can cause liver damage. It is highly recommended that you avoid alcohol as much as you can. It can also cause other issues with Atorvastatin.
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of side effects of Atorvastatin and also decreases its effectiveness in your body.
Side Effects of Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 80 mg during Pregnancy and Lactation
Atorvastatin has been rated as pregnancy category X. That means it can cause risks in your pregnancy period. There is not enough data about Atorvastatin during pregnancy in humans. It is discouraged and contraindicated. Some studies were done with animals, and the risk of fetus damage occurred.
Not enough data about Atorvastatin 80 mg in breastfeeding. Studies have shown that it is excreted in animal milk but do not have enough data about human milk. It is also contraindicated during lactation.
Atorvastatin 40 mg VS 80 mg Study Report
A recent study shows some expected results of atorvastatin 40 mg and 80 mg. it was held in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
The study included 240 patients with dyslipidemia. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 120 each.
A high dose of statin treatment (Atorvastatin 40 or 80 mg) reduces LDL cholesterol by less or equal to 50% of its baseline value. In that study, the same result was confirmed.
The study concluded that 40 mg of Atorvastatin is as effective as 80 mg of Atorvastatin in achieving guidelines-directed lipid levels in Indian patients with dyslipidemia.
Furthermore, by reducing statin dose from 80 mg to 40 mg, some dose-related adverse effects of statins like myalgia can be reduced. Nevertheless, all adverse effects must be monitored long-term.
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Side Effects From Atorvastatin?
There are a few ways to reduce the risk of side effects from Atorvastatin 80 mg. First, it is important to take the drug as prescribed by your doctor.
Second, it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and adjust your medication as needed. Third, it is important to follow all safety guidelines when taking this drug, such as avoiding alcohol and eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods that increase the cholesterol level of blood.
If you are still in trouble and can’t reach doctors at the moment, feel free to comment below, our doctors will review and reply as soon as possible.
When to Consult a Doctor?
It is time to consult your doctor if you feel that Atorvastatin 80 mg is causing you difficulty in your daily life or interfering unexpectedly with your daily activities.
As well as, if any of the symptoms or side effects persist for longer than 3-5 days, you should consult a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms or side effects.
You can also speak with the doctor who prescribed the medicine to you.
FAQ About Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 80 mg
Statins are estimated to cause side effects in about one out of ten patients
Most of the cases, Yes.
According to a research of 250,000 patients, There were few side effects reported for simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) in this class this drug.
Grapefruits and grapefruit juice.
According to reports, rosuvastatin was the strongest statin with the most problems
Healthy lifestyle and stopping alcohol can help a lot.
liver diseases and muscle pains which can cause long term harm.
