Atorvastatin Side Effects Mayo Clinic – Atorvastatin is a relatively new weight loss drug, and its side effects are not yet fully known. Common atorvastatin side effects can include: headaches, nasal congestion, diarrhea, increased thirst, or. Dizziness; sore throat, joint pain; upset stomach; itching of the skin, hair, or nails; swelling in the mouth, face, or feet; and. Heart disease. In rare cases, Atorvastatin may cause liver damage or death.
Before starting or switching to Atorvastatin, you should inform your doctor if you are taking any medications together with the medication. Drugs such as blood thinners, anti-platelets, antidepressants, or heart medicines may interfere with Atorvastatin. Your doctor will advise you of the correct dose and route of intake and tell you what to do if a reaction develops. Please don’t stop having Atorvastatin without first talking to your doctor. Avoid taking other drugs or substances while on Atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin Side Effects Mayo Clinic
- cough
- hives, itching, skin rash
- dizziness
- difficulty with swallowing
- muscle cramps, pain, stiffness, swelling, or weakness
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

One of the possible interactions that Atorvastatin may cause is with cholesterol-lowering medications. Two classes of cholesterol-lowering drugs, Statins and Bile Acid Binding Resin, are commonly prescribed together with Atorvastatin. Suppose you take a statin medication that contains fenofibrate, an ingredient that sometimes accompanies or is contained in Atorvastatin. In that case, you will probably need to switch to another drug, such as a taperidin that does not contain fenofibrate. Atorvastatin may also be contraindicated in people who take angiotensin-angiogenesis inhibitors, or ATORs, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug. You should inform your doctor if you’re thinking about starting any new prescription or long-term use of cholesterol-lowering medications. Some Atorvastatin may also cause reactions with other medications like asthma medications or calcium channel blockers.
Some Atorvastatin-related side effects include muscle weakness, increased sensitivity to cold, nausea, and diarrhea. Drugs such as acetazolamide, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, doxycycline, indomethacin, lofexidine, NSAIDs, and tramadol (otherwise known as Desmopressin) are known to cause muscle problems. Other drugs, including some steroid medications and calcium channel blockers, can cause Atorvastatin to be less effective and further muscle relaxation. When taking Atorvastatin, remember that you also need to take the other drugs listed above, particularly if you’re taking other types of cholesterol-lowering medications.
Another Atorvastatin-related side effect is an increase in gastrointestinal gas, known as belching. This happens because, in addition to having a higher concentration of the drug in the stomach than in the rest of the body, the drug gets concentrated in the small intestine. The drugs called allopurinol and disillexan are known to cause gas and indigestion. Statins are another group of medications called anti-statin. Statins increase the absorption rate of other drugs called angiotensins and thereby increase the risk for heart disease and other diseases.
One of Atorvastatin’s most commonly reported side effects is a serious condition called an acute hemorrhagic stroke. It’s called “stroke” because it usually results in temporary disability and sometimes death. In addition, Atorvastatin and other statins can cause a rare condition called “myelodysplasia,” which results in abnormal blood cells in the body. “Myelodysplasia” is also known as “angiogenesis” because it is associated with angiogenesis or the growth of blood vessels. This condition is potentially life-threatening, especially with Atorvastatin and other anti-angiogenic drugs like gemfibrozil and warfarin. Patients with atorvastatin side effects that include this should be under the supervision of a cardiologist.
Patients should also be aware that Atorvastatin and other anti-angiogenic drugs can increase the risk of blood clots. This increased risk is seen in people taking statins but not in those taking a nonstatin drug such as Atorvastatin. In addition, Atorvastatin increases the risk of ischemia (reduced blood flow) and heart attack, two conditions often seen in patients taking larger doses of statins.
It’s important to be careful when taking Atorvastatin. As an anti-angiogenic, it can cause serious adverse reactions when combined with other medications and drugs. If you’re thinking of starting or changing the medication regimen, talk to your doctor about possible interactions. Changing the dose, changing to a different drug, or stopping Atorvastatin may result in additional problems.