Atorvastatin lowers cholesterol by reducing how much your liver makes. It is one of the most-prescribed medicines in the country, and also one of the most stopped — often over muscle aches that turn out not to be caused by the statin at all.
Lowering cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is prescribed for people who have had a cardiovascular event, for those with familial hypercholesterolaemia, and for people whose overall calculated risk is high enough to benefit.
It works alongside diet and activity rather than instead of them, and its benefit builds over years — you do not feel it working, which is part of why people stop.
Once daily, at any time of day, with or without food. Atorvastatin does not need to be taken at night, unlike simvastatin.
Take it consistently. Missing occasional doses matters less than stopping altogether, but the benefit comes from long-term steady use.
If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one as usual. Do not double up.
Muscle aches are the most talked-about statin side effect. In blind trials, most people who report them get them just as often on a dummy tablet — so many aches attributed to statins have another cause. That does not mean your ache is imaginary; it means it is worth investigating rather than assuming.
If aches are troublesome but not serious, do not simply stop — a lower dose, a different statin or alternate-day dosing often solves it. That conversation is worth having.
Headache, nausea, digestive upset, wind and cold-like symptoms are the more common ones and often settle.
Get medical advice for yellowing of the eyes or skin, persistent unexplained tiredness, or severe stomach pain.
Statins slightly increase blood sugar and can nudge some people towards a diabetes diagnosis — the cardiovascular benefit still outweighs this for those who need them, but it is a reason for routine monitoring.
Large quantities of grapefruit juice increase atorvastatin levels. Occasional grapefruit is generally fine at usual doses, but regular or large amounts are best avoided — ask us if you drink it daily.
Tell your prescriber about clarithromycin and erythromycin, some antifungals, ciclosporin, certain HIV medicines, and amiodarone. Some combinations need a dose reduction.
Statins should not be taken in pregnancy or while breastfeeding — tell your GP if you are planning a pregnancy.
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