Lipitor is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.

Lipitor is also used to lower the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood.

Lipitor may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally).

Lipitor (atorvastatin) belongs to a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with Lipitor has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

You should not take Lipitor if you have liver disease or cirrhosis.

Lipitor can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with Lipitor. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Lipitor will not be as effective in lowering your cholesterol if you do not follow a cholesterol-lowering diet plan.

Lipitor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Take Lipitor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Do not change your dose or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor's advice.

Lipitor is usually taken once per day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may take Lipitor tablets with or without food.

It may take up to 2 weeks before your cholesterol levels improve, and you may need frequent blood tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if Lipitor is effective.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, and blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not use Lipitor if you are allergic to atorvastatin, or if you have liver failure or cirrhosis.

To make sure Lipitor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• muscle pain or weakness;

• diabetes;

• stroke;

• a thyroid disorder;

• a habit of drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day; or

• kidney disease.

Lipitor can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. This happens more often in women, in older adults, or people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Atorvastatin may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Lipitor.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or Lipitor will not be as effective.

Drinking alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage.

Grapefruit may interact with atorvastatin and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products and drinking more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice each day.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lipitor (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Lipitor can cause the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.

Muscle problems may be more likely in older adults and those who have kidney problems, thyroid problems, or take certain other medicines.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• muscle weakness in your hips, shoulders, neck, and back;

• trouble lifting your arms, trouble climbing or standing;

• liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.

Common Lipitor side effects may include:

• pain in your bones, spine, joints, or muscles;

• pain and burning when you urinate, painful urination;

• muscle spasms;

• upset stomach;

• trouble sleeping;

• stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat;

• diarrhea, nausea; or

• pain in your arms or legs.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which can increase risk of serious muscle problems or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with atorvastatin, especially:

• other cholesterol lowering medicine - gemfibrozil, niacin, fenofibrate, fenofibric acid, and others;

• colchicine;

• antibiotic or antifungal medicine - rifampin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole;

• birth control pills;

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection; or

• antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with atorvastatin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

You should notice a drop in your cholesterol levels within four weeks of taking atorvastatin.

Many people have to be on atorvastatin for the rest of their lives. You’ll only experience the benefits while you take this medicine. Your cholesterol levels may go back up if you stop using atorvastatin.

Your dose of atorvastatin will depend on your age, your medical condition, and other factors.

A typical starting dose is 10 to 20 milligrams, once a day. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose.

Atorvastatin has been studied or used to treat other medical conditions that it’s not approved for. These include immune and inflammatory disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis) and certain parasitic diseases (such as malaria). Additionally, some early research has shown atorvastatin may play a role in preventing or treating certain cancers.