Lipitor Side Effects

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a very popular element in today’s
pharmacopia. Many people use it, to good effect, but there are certain
precautions that must be taken to avoid unpleasant, even dangerous,
side effects.

There
are any number of Lipitor side effects that may occur during treatment
with this prescription drug but these will vary from one person to the
next. One very important precaution everyone should employ when taking
atorvastatin, however, is to avoid grapefruit juice in any and all
forms. The interaction between grapefruit juice and Lipitor are known
to increase the risk of any possible side effects.

Lipitor is
prescribed as a means of last resort to reduce the levels of
cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. A healthy diet and
exercise program designed to reduce weight is a much safer alternative
and should be tried before prescribing Lipitor or any other
cholesterol-lowering medication.

The body itself manufactures
most of the cholesterol in the bloodstream. Too much cholesterol in the
diet, combined with the naturally produced cholesterol, can lead to
blocked arteries that can cause heart disease, cardiac arrest, and
strokes. Lipitor blocks an enzyme required to manufacture cholesterol,
thereby reducing the amount in the bloodstream.

Cholesterol
is vital to a developing fetus so anyone who is pregnant or considering
becoming pregnant should not take Lipitor under any circumstances.
Whether atorvastatin passes into breast milk is unknown at this time so
it is best if nursing mothers also avoid taking Lipitor.

Most
minor Lipitor side effects may go away in time without medical
intervention. These include mild allergic reactions, skin lesions and
inflammations, tightness in the throat when swallowing, wheezing, and
mouth sores.

The nutritional supplement niacin and alcohol
should be avoided when taking Lipitor. They both cause a reaction in
muscle tissue that causes a pigment to be released into the urine. This
pigment can lead to severe kidney disease and damage to the liver.

Other
Lipitor side effects vary when it is taken in conjunction with other
drugs, such as antifungals or antibiotics. Always alert your
prescribing physician to any and all other medications taken with
Lipitor.

Med-Help is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.