Atorvastatin is a type of statin that is used to lower cholesterol in the blood – but the NHS has issued advice to those taking the medication about side effects and drug interactions to be aware of
Atorvastatin is commonly prescribed to those with high cholesterol(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The NHS has issued guidance to patients prescribed a commonly used medicine about the potential for “serious” adverse reactions. Those currently taking atorvastatin are being advised to be mindful about which additional medications they use alongside it.
Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which function by lowering cholesterol concentrations in the blood. It is routinely prescribed to individuals with elevated blood cholesterol to minimise the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.
Your doctor may also suggest atorvastatin if there is heart disease within your family, or you live with a chronic health condition such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. However, like all pharmaceutical treatments, it is vital to follow official recommendations on safe usage, reports Yorkshire Live.
Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
On its website, the NHS emphasises multiple “cautions with other medicines”. This means individuals must verify it is safe to use atorvastatin together with other medications and supplements.
The NHS stated: “Some medicines can affect the way atorvastatin works and can increase the chances of you having serious side effects, such as muscle damage.”
It explained that you must consequently notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of the following treatments:
Antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin or fusidic acidAntifungals such as ketoconazole, voriconazole or fluconazoleSome HIV medicinesSome hepatitis C medicinesWarfarin, a medicine to help prevent blood clotsCiclosporin, a medicine for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritisColchicine, a medicine for goutContraceptive pills, such as the combined pillVerapamil, diltiazem or amlodipine, medicines for high blood pressure and heart problemsAmiodarone, a medicine that helps if you have an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
Should you be taking atorvastatin in combination with any of these medicines, your GP may explore alternatives. This can include prescribing a lower dose of atorvastatin, recommending that you stop taking atorvastatin for a while, or prescribing a different statin medicine.
This list doesn’t encompass every medicine that might interact with how atorvastatin works. “For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet or check with your pharmacist”, the NHS advised.
The health service also urged anyone on atorvastatin who is contemplating using St John’s wort supplements or CoQ10 to initially consult their GP or pharmacist for advice.
Common side effects
These common side effects of atorvastatin happen in more than one in 100 people:
Feeling sick (nausea) or indigestionHeadachesNosebleedsSore throatCold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose or sneezingConstipation or farting (flatulence)Diarrhoea
The NHS added: “Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly increases the chance of you having side effects with atorvastatin, and liver problems. If you think that atorvastatin is causing side effects and they’re making you want to stop taking it, talk to your doctor first.
“They may be caused by another problem and not the medicine. Your doctor may suggest lowering your dose or changing your medicine.”
Serious side effects
You must discontinue taking atorvastatin and contact a doctor or ring 111 immediately if:
You get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damageThe whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin, or if you have pale poo and dark pee – these can be signs of liver problemsYou get a skin rash with pink or red blotches, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet – this could be a sign of erythema multiformeYou have severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of acute pancreatitisYou have a cough, feel short of breath, and are losing weight – this can be a sign of lung diseaseYou have a weakness in your arms or legs that gets worse after activity, or if you get double vision, drooping eyelids, problems swallowing or shortness of breath – these can be a sign of myasthenia gravis
For further information, visit the NHS website here.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community