13 things you might not know about Lipitor

A healthy diet and exercise are important for heart health—partially because they help keep cholesterol levels in check. But, for some people, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Medication may be necessary to avoid heart disease.

Statins are among the most common medications prescribed to lower cholesterol. This class of medication helps to decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (also known as bad cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. At the same time, statins increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (aka good cholesterol). Statins work by blocking a substance the liver needs to make cholesterol. Lipitor is a statin. 

RELATED: What is Lipitor used for?

13 Lipitor facts to know before taking your Rx

Now that you know the basics, here are some facts about Lipitor.

1. Lipitor is the most-prescribed statin

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a type of statin. More than 200 million people worldwide take statins, with Lipitor being the most prescribed type.

2. Lipitor is easy to fit into your schedule

Short-acting statins (that have a half-life of less than six hours) should be taken at night because cholesterol production is thought to be highest while you sleep. Because Lipitor is a long-acting statin, with a half-life of 14 hours, you can take it whenever you want—as long as you pick the same time each day. Lipitor is typically taken once per day in pill form. Lipitor dosages range from 10 mg to 80 mg.

“Some people choose to take it at night because it’s easier to remember to take it then,” says Pri Hennis, MD, physician with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix, Arizona. “If you have problems sleeping [from Lipitor], consider taking it in the daytime instead.” Follow your healthcare provider’s directions, and check with them before making changes or stopping your medication.

3. Lipitor can reduce LDL-C by up to 60%

Statins have been prescribed for a long time, so there’s a lot of data showing they have a good safety profile. Lipitor has been FDA-approved since 1996. This means Lipitor works well, and is well-tolerated by most people. For those who do experience Lipitor side effects, some of the more common ones include:

• Pain and swelling of the throat and nasal passages
• Joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Pain in the extremities
• Urinary tract infection
• Stomach upset
• Nausea
• Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness 
• Muscle spasms
• Insomnia

In many cases, these are mild and temporary, as the body adjusts to the drug. For most people, the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.

4. Lipitor doesn’t cause arthritis or joint damage

You shouldn’t experience new pain in your joints because of a statin, and Lipitor does not cause arthritis. However, muscle discomfort, such as soreness, tiredness, or weakness, is a common complaint. While this muscle pain has been established as a legitimate side effect of Lipitor, some research has shown a “nocebo” effect, indicating that those who expected to experience muscle pain were more likely to experience it, even when given a placebo.

In very rare circumstances, a condition called rhabdomyolysis involving life-threatening muscle damage may occur, especially when statins are taken in high doses or in combination with certain drugs. Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, and kidney failure, and may be fatal. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience new, severe pain.

5. You might need a vitamin D supplement

Studies suggest that low vitamin D levels may be associated with statin myopathy (muscle problems from taking Lipitor). A vitamin D supplement may help to improve this soreness. If you experience muscle discomfort after starting Lipitor, ask your healthcare provider about having your vitamin D levels checked. If you’re deficient, you can try supplementation, or ask about switching to another statin.

6. Lipitor won’t usually hurt your liver

There is a Lipitor warning for liver enzyme abnormalities. While liver damage is a possible serious side effect of Lipitor, a 2013 study found that this risk is extremely low and does not prevent most people from taking statins. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of serious side effects from statins is extremely low—a few cases per million people taking statins—but they can occur. Your healthcare provider may run liver tests before starting you on statins to be sure they are safe for you. As an added precaution, consider limiting alcohol, or avoiding it altogether, when taking atorvastatin, as it can increase the risk of liver problems.

7. Lipitor may increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes

Statins may increase blood sugar, which has the potential to cause or worsen Type 2 diabetes. The risk appears higher for those who already have higher than normal blood sugar levels, such as those who are prediabetic or diabetic.

Though, generally the benefits of statins for preventing cardiovascular disease in people with Type 2 diabetes tend to outweigh the risks of the slight blood sugar increase. If you’re a high risk group, discuss the pros and cons with your prescribing physician.

8. Lipitor and grapefruit don’t mix

Grapefruit can interfere with statins. You may not need to eliminate grapefruit entirely from your diet, but it will need to be limited. Ask your healthcare provider how much grapefruit you can safely consume on your medication.

9. Your morning coffee may make Lipitor less effective

A 2008 study on rats suggests caffeinated coffee may reduce one of the cardioprotective benefits of atorvastatin. That’s because caffeine is a nonspecific adenosine receptor blocker. Adenosine receptor activation is essential for Lipitor to work. Meaning, your daily joe may make it less effective. Talk with your healthcare provider about your caffeine consumption.

10. Lipitor may be good for your dental health

New research suggests that statins like Lipitor can have several beneficial effects for your mouth. They can improve bone health to keep teeth strong, prevent tissue degeneration that can lead to periodontal disease, and even have protective effects against oral cancers. Some dentists are starting to consider statins therapeutic for dental and oral health.

11. You may need Lipitor even if your cholesterol is normal

Lipitor is usually thought of as a cholesterol-lowering medication. However, even if your cholesterol levels are in the normal range, your healthcare provider may prescribe it. Why? It can help decrease risk of cardiovascular disease and events (like heart attacks) for high risk groups. For example, if you’re prone to blood clots or if you already have arterial plaque buildup. 

Additionally, if you’re taking Lipitor to manage hyperlipidemia, you need to keep taking it once your levels return to normal. If you stop taking statins, cholesterol levels will creep back up within two months.

RELATED: Understanding cholesterol tests

12. There are ways to save on Lipitor

On average, brand-name Lipitor costs about $433.39 for 30, 10 mg tablets. A generic form of atorvastatin is available and has been shown to be as effective as Lipitor. That’s good news because the generic version is much less expensive.

13. Lipitor is not interchangeable with other statins

While they belong to the same family of drugs, statins are not all the same. They vary in areas such as chemical properties, dosage, potency, efficacy, safety, and side effects. 

“Depending on what your doctor recommends you might need low, moderate, or high intensity statins,” says Dr. Hennis. “For example, high intensity statins include Lipitor 40 mg-80 mg and Crestor 20-40 mg. One is not better than the other, the dose and the medication type is what is important.” 

Lipitor is a good choice for many people, but it’s important to make sure it is the right choice for you. Which statin to use depends on a number of factors, and should be discussed with your healthcare provider and pharmacist.