Atorvastatin Side Effects – High blood pressure is not the only cause of heart attack and stroke in the United States of America. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3 million people suffer from high cholesterol each year in the United States.
Apart from high blood pressure, high cholesterol is another major reason for heart attack and stroke in both men and women in the United States.
Even though cholesterol is very important for our body to build healthy cells, high levels of cholesterol can deposit fat in the blood vessels, which can lower the blood flow and cause several hard conditions.
When you visit a doctor for the problem of high cholesterol, your doctor might suggest you take a medicine, and it could be Atorvastatin, as it is one of the most popular medicines for high cholesterol.
Atorvastatin is known to be the life savior in people suffering from high cholesterol. But, it also contains several side effects and warnings. You should consult with your doctor before you start taking Atorvastatin on a regular basis.
Common Side effects of Atorvastatin
We will start from the common side effects of Atorvastatin, and later we will move to warnings and precautions associated with the medicine. Your doctor is the best judge of your health, and you have prescribed atorvastatin just because your doctor believes the benefits are going to outweigh the side effects associated with the medicine.
cold-like symptoms
The first thing you are going to experience as soon as you start taking atorvastatin symptoms like you caught a cold. It is among the most common side effects of taking medicine. Usually, people experience a stuffy nose and sore throat once they start taking their medicine. At the same time, it is also possible that you might feel a bit of a fever.
Muscle and joint pain
Once you start taking medicine, there is a probability that you might start having joint pain and muscle pain throughout the body. It is among the most common side effects of taking atorvastatin.
Apart from the pain in joints and muscles throughout your body, there is also a probability that you might experience pain in your stomach and lower back at the same time. You do not have to worry about these side effects as they might do since you start taking medicine.
But, there is a probability that it might not go away all on its own, and you have to take help from programs and professionals. You should consult with your doctor.
UTI
There is a high probability that you might develop a new urinary tract infection once you start taking atorvastatin. It is among the most common side effects of taking medicine. Usually, these side effects go away within a few days after you start taking medicine as your body adopts the new normal.
Sleep disorder
Sleep disorder after taking atorvastatin is also possible. In several studies, it has already been proven that sleep disorder is a direct common side effect of taking atorvastatin. You should consult every side effect and symptom with your doctor. You might be advised to take some over-the-counter medicine along with the atorvastatin in order to lower the intensity of the symptoms or side effects caused by atorvastatin.
Diarrhea
Lastly, there is a probability that you get temporary diarrhea once you start taking the atorvastatin. Usually, people experience stomach pain and diarrhea at the same time after they start eating up medicine. But, there is a possibility that you might only experience diarrhea or stomach pain. You should report every side effect and symptom to your doctor so that your doctor can adjust the dosage to make sure you do not get any severe side effects.
Seriously Side Effects of Atorvastatin
Now let’s take a look at all the serious side effects of taking atorvastatin. These side effects are not common, and if you are experiencing any of the below-given side effects, then you should consult with your doctor or call 911 as soon as possible.
Diabetes
There is a high probability that you develop new diabetes once you start taking atorvastatin. Back in February 2012, The United States Food and Drug Administration approved safety label changes to statin drugs.
As for the latest release, there is a high probability that drugs similar to atorvastatin might cause fresh diabetes in people who do not have any sign of diabetes at all.
Back in 2010, a study involved more than 91,000 patients who took either placebo or the medicine so that more than 250 patients who took medicine went on to develop new diabetes.
Generally, a lower dose of atorvastatin is not a problem but the higher dose might lead you to diabetes, and you should be concerned. Always talk to your doctor regarding these side effects.
Allergic reaction
Atorvastatin Is known to cause allergic reactions. If you are legit to anything, then you should check all the ingredients of atorvastatin. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in the medicine, then you should consult with your doctor and try not to examine the medicine and try any circumstances.
If you have already consumed the medicine and now you have experienced it around your face, including lips and tongue, then it could be a classical sign of an allergic reaction. You should call 911 as soon as possible.
Overall weakness
There is a probability that you might experience overall weakness and pain in the muscle once you start taking atorvastatin. Usually, doctors talk about these severe and common side effects of taking medicine, but if you have not been consulted, then ask for a consultation with your doctor as soon as possible.
Liver and kidney problems
Lastly, there is a high probability that you might experience new symptoms of liver and kidney problems once you start taking medicine. You should keep an eye on every symptom related to killing me and liver problems.
Even if you start experiencing any side effects, including liver and kidney diseases, you should not stop taking medicine. Your doctor will suggest you consult regarding these side effects before you do that.
The classical signs of kidney and liver problems are upper stomach pain, general weakness, swelling in your feet, little urination, short-term breath, loss of appetite, jaundice, etc.
Warnings associated with Atorvastatin
Along with the common and severe side effects of taking atorvastatin, There are a few mornings associated with atorvastatin. Under any circumstances, you should never ignore these warnings.
First of all, if you get pregnant during your treatment, Then you should let your doctor know about it. Atorvastatin is known to harm the fetus, and You should never take this medicine during your pregnancy.
At the same time, women who are breastfeeding should also consult with their doctor as soon as possible. In several studies, it has already been proven that the milk of the mother might contain atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin Is also known to cause kidney failure. You should consult any side effects over symptoms associated with kidney failure. Your doctor might suggest you stop taking medicine if you are developing kidney failure due to the medicine.
At the same time, you should also stop consuming food that is high in cholesterol and fat. Your doctor might suggest you make a few dietary changes, but if you have not been consulted, then you should talk to your doctor by yourself.
Precautions before you take Atorvastatin
Along with the side effects and warnings of atorvastatin, there are a few precautions associated with the medicine.
First of all, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in the medicine, then you should let your pharmacist or doctor know about it.
Secondly, if you get pregnant during your treatment, then you should let it go to your doctor as the medicine is known to cause harm to the fetus.
Lastly, you should let your doctor know about any other physical conditions you already have. You should never hide your liver or kidney diseases from your doctor.
Takeaways
Atorvastatin is among the most effective and popular medicines for High cholesterol levels. If you are experiencing high cholesterol levels in the United States, you might be suggested to take atorvastatin.
Along with its ability to save people from stroke and heart failure, atorvastatin also contains a few side effects of taking. There is a high probability that you might experience Muscle pain and pain throughout your body.
At the same time, diarrhea along with headaches is also possible once you start taking medicine. You should consult with your doctor regarding all these symptoms.
Can I have alcohol along with atorvastatin?
As for the health experts, you should never consume any medicine related to atorvastatin, along with your alcoholic beverage. In order to get faster results and less probability of side effects, you should limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol is known to cause liver failure, and taking it with atorvastatin, might further increase the risk.