Atorvastatin is a medication in the statin family. It is commonly prescribed to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Why is atorvastatin prescribed?
Doctors may prescribe it for people who:
- Have high LDL cholesterol or mixed cholesterol problems
- Have a higher risk of heart disease due to factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or family history
- Have already had a heart attack, stroke, or certain types of artery disease
- Need help slowing the buildup of cholesterol plaques in arteries (atherosclerosis)
How does it work?
Atorvastatin blocks an enzyme in the liver involved in making cholesterol. This causes the liver to remove more LDL cholesterol from the blood, lowering overall cholesterol levels.
Possible side effects
Many people tolerate atorvastatin well, but possible side effects include:
- Muscle aches or soreness
- Headache
- Digestive symptoms (such as nausea or diarrhea)
- Mild increases in liver enzymes on blood tests
Rare but serious problems can include:
- Severe muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine (possible muscle injury)
- Signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes
Important points
- Do not stop atorvastatin suddenly without medical advice, especially if it was prescribed to reduce heart or stroke risk.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements you take, because some can interact with statins.
- Regular cholesterol checks help determine whether the medication is working.
Although some online claims portray statins negatively, large studies show that for people who benefit from them, statins can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
If you take atorvastatin, sharing your dose (for example, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg) and why it was prescribed can help explain what to expect and what monitoring may be appropriate.
