Atorvastatin is a commonly prescribed statin medication used to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people who may benefit from cholesterol reduction.
Like all medicines, it can cause side effects, but many people take it without serious problems.
Common possible side effects
Some people may experience:
- Muscle aches or soreness
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea or digestive upset
- Nausea
- Mild increases in liver enzymes on blood tests
Less common but important side effects
Contact a healthcare professional if you notice:
- Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness, especially if severe or accompanied by fever or dark-colored urine. Rarely, statins can cause a serious muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual fatigue, which may indicate a liver problem.
- Severe allergic reactions (rare), such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat or difficulty breathing.
Things that can increase side-effect risk
Risk may be higher with:
- Higher doses.
- Older age or frailty.
- Certain kidney or liver conditions.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Some medications that interact with atorvastatin (including certain antibiotics, antifungal medicines, and other drugs).
Important: Don’t stop it without medical advice
Atorvastatin is often prescribed because the benefit of lowering cardiovascular risk can be significant. If you think you are having side effects, a clinician may adjust the dose, change medications, or check for other causes.
If you take atorvastatin and are concerned, it helps to know:
- Your dose (for example, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg)
- How long you have been taking it
- The specific symptom you are experiencing
- Any other medicines or supplements you use
