How does atorvastatin work?
Atorvastatin works by stopping the liver from making cholesterol. This lowers your blood cholesterol level.
During the first 12 months on this medicine, you'll be offered a couple of routine tests to make sure your liver is working properly.
How long does it take to work?
Your cholesterol levels should drop within 4 weeks, if you take your medicine regularly, as prescribed.
Although the medicine is working, you may not feel any different, as most people with high cholesterol do not have any symptoms.
Are there any long-term side effects?
Atorvastatin is safe to take for a long time, even many years. In fact, it works best when you take it for a long time.
What will happen if I stop taking it?
You may want to stop atorvastatin if you think you're having side effects. Talk to your doctor first to see if it really is a side effect of atorvastatin or an unrelated problem. Your doctor may suggest that you lower your dose or change your medicine.
You will not get any withdrawal symptoms. However, stopping atorvastatin may cause your cholesterol to rise. This increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
If you want to stop taking your medicine, it's important to find another way to lower your cholesterol.
How does atorvastatin compare with other medicines for high cholesterol?
Statins all work in the same way, but they differ in how well they lower cholesterol.
There are several other statin medicines for lowering your cholesterol, including:
- fluvastatin
- pravastatin
- rosuvastatin
- simvastatin
If you have a side effect with one statin, it may not happen with another statin.
Your doctor will find the right statin and dose for you, depending on your medical history, cholesterol level and the other medicines you take.
Are statins safe?
Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and most people will not get any side effects while taking them. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are concerned about the safety of statins.
Is atorvastatin addictive?
No, there's no evidence that atorvastatin is addictive. You will not get any withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
Does it help to take Co-enzyme Q10 supplements together with statins?
Some people take a supplement called Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with statins. There's no clear evidence, however, that taking CoQ10 at the same time as atorvastatin will benefit your health. More research is needed.
If you decide to take a CoQ10 supplement, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Supplements can affect the way other medicines work.
Will taking atorvastatin increase my risk of diabetes?
You are likely to be at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you have high levels of sugars and fats in your blood, are overweight and have high blood pressure. There is some evidence that atorvastatin can raise blood sugar in some people.
If you are concerned speak to your doctor. They will be able to explain how the benefits of taking statins are likely to outweigh this small increased risk.
If you already have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may advise monitoring your blood sugar levels more closely for the first few months. Tell your doctor or diabetes nurse if you find it harder to control your blood sugar.
Will it affect my contraception?
Atorvastatin may slightly increase the hormones released into your system from some contraceptive pills. You will still be protected from pregnancy, but this could increase your chances of side effects from contraceptive pills. If you have any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If atorvastatin makes you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Find out more:
Can I drive or ride a bike?
Taking atorvastatin should not affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or operate machinery.
Can I drink alcohol while taking atorvastatin?
Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking atorvastatin.
However, drinking a lot of alcohol regularly increases the chance of you having side effects and liver problems.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
It's best not to have too much grapefruit juice when taking atorvastatin.
Drinking lots of grapefruit juice (more than about a litre a day) can affect the way this medicine works. It increases the level of atorvastatin in your blood. This increases the chance of you having side effects.
Can lifestyle changes help my high cholesterol?
Reducing your cholesterol may mean you do not need to be prescribed a statin medicine. There are lifestyle changes you can make that will help lower your cholesterol:
- make sure you're a healthy weight
- eat well – cut saturated fat and increase fibre, fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and fish
- quit smoking
- cut down on alcohol
- try to exercise every day