Note: This document contains side effect information about atorvastatin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Lipitor.

Summary

Common side effects of Lipitor include: hemorrhagic stroke, arthralgia, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis. Other side effects include: urinary tract infection, insomnia, limb pain, muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, and nausea. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to atorvastatin: oral tablets.

Side effects include:

Nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, diarrhea, pain in extremity, urinary tract infection, dyspepsia, nausea, musculoskeletal pain, muscle spasms, myalgia, insomnia, pharyngolaryngeal pain.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to atorvastatin: oral suspension, oral tablet.

General

The most frequently reported side effects were nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, diarrhea, pain in extremity, and urinary tract infection.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 14.1%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, constipation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, eructation, abdominal pain, vomiting, pancreatitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Blood bilirubin increased, ALT increased, transaminases/hepatic enzymes increased, AST increased, liver function test abnormal, blood alkaline phosphatase increased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cholestasis

Very rare (less than 0.1%): Fatal hepatic failure, nonfatal hepatic failure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 11.7%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, muscle spasms, myalgia, joint swelling, back pain, creatine phosphokinase increased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neck pain, muscle fatigue

Rare (less than 0.1%): Myositis, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, tendinopathy

Frequency not reported: Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy

Postmarketing reports: Tendon rupture^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia, dizziness, hypoesthesia, dysgeusia, amnesia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Peripheral neuropathy

Frequency not reported: Nonfatal hemorrhagic stroke

Postmarketing reports: Cognitive impairment, memory loss, forgetfulness, memory impairment^[Ref]

Endocrine

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gynecomastia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reactions

Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nightmare

Postmarketing reports: Confusion, depression^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): White blood cells urine positive, erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, pruritus, urticaria, alopecia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioneurotic edema/angioedema, bullous rashes, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Frequency not reported: Urticaria^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Cardiovascular death^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 12.9%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngolaryngeal pain, epistaxis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma

Rare (less than 0.1%): Sinusitis, pharyngitis

Frequency not reported: Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision blurred

Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual disturbance^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Non-cardiovascular death

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Deafness, tinnitus, malaise, asthenia, influenza, infection, chest pain, peripheral edema, fatigue, pyrexia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Injury

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hearing loss^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hypoglycemia, weight increased

Frequency not reported: Diabetes mellitus^[Ref]