Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats and raise "good" cholesterol in the blood.
Full Answer
Are there any patient assistance programs for atorvastatin?
Patient Assistance Programs for Atorvastatin. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) are usually sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and provide free or discounted medicines to low income or uninsured and under-insured people who meet specific guidelines. Eligibility requirements vary for each program.
Are there any patient assistance programs for Lipitor?
Patient Assistance Programs for Lipitor. Patient assistance programs (PAPs) are usually sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and provide free or discounted medicines to low income or uninsured and under-insured people who meet specific guidelines.
What is atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is a member of the statins drug class and is commonly used for High Cholesterol, High Cholesterol - Familial Heterozygous, High Cholesterol - Familial Homozygous, and others. Brand names for atorvastatin include Lipitor .
Where can I find Lipitor product information?
Our Products/LIPITOR® LIPITOR® (atorvastatin calcium) This product information is intended only for residents of the United States. for Consumers: www.lipitor.com LIPITOR U.S. Patient Product Information for Health Care Professionals: LIPITOR U.S. Physician Prescribing Information
How can I get free atorvastatin?
Some pharmacies may offer atorvastatin for free, or they may have done so in the past. Whether or not atorvastatin is available for free near you will depend on whether a pharmacy near you offers this service. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist if they're aware of any pharmacies that offer atorvastatin for free.
What happens when you take atorvastatin calcium?
Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.
What is the most serious side effect of atorvastatin?
Serious side effects Stop taking atorvastatin and contact 111 or call your doctor if: you get unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps – these can be signs of muscle breakdown and kidney damage.
What should you monitor while taking atorvastatin?
Evaluate serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels before initiating, after 2–4 wk of therapy, and periodically thereafter.Monitor liver function tests prior to initiation of therapy and as clinically indicated. ... If patient develops muscle tenderness during therapy, CPK levels should be monitored.More items...
How long should a person take atorvastatin?
How long to take it for. Depending on the reason why you're taking atorvastatin, you may have to take it for a long time, even for the rest of your life. You may want to stop atorvastatin if you think you're having side effects.
What is the downside of atorvastatin?
Cons. Statins such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) can cause digestive problems, blood sugar problems, muscle aches and stiffness, muscle injury, kidney damage, or liver damage. Some people need to stop taking this medicine if these problems occur.
Why do people not like taking statins?
While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people who take them and may rarely cause liver damage.
What is the best statin with the least side effects?
According to a research review people who take simvastatin (Zocor) or pravastatin (Pravachol) may experience fewer side effects.
Which muscles are most affected by statins?
Within a month of starting statin therapy, they may feel aches or weakness in the large muscles of their arms, shoulders, thighs or buttocks on both sides of the body. About 5 to 10% of people who try statins are affected. It's more common in the elderly, in women and in those taking the more potent statins.
What do I need to know before taking atorvastatin?
The dosage of atorvastatin needs to be individualized but initially should start at 10-20 mg/day and be guided by the results of cholesterol tests taken 2 to 4 weeks later. Take atorvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without his or her advice.
What do you need to know before giving atorvastatin?
Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atorvastatin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in atorvastatin tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
What are nursing considerations for atorvastatin?
atorvastatin can increase liver enzyme levels. They must be used with caution in people with impaired renal function. atorvastatin may cause myopathy, liver or renal impairment, and high blood glucose levels, and therefore should be prescribed with caution in patients included in the listed risk groups.
Is there a difference between atorvastatin and atorvastatin calcium?
Atorvastatin is a prescription medicine used to treat high cholesterol. It is marketed as a calcium salt under the brand name Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium), produced by Pfizer. It is also available as a generic medicine. Atorvastatin is one of the most popular medicines for treating high cholesterol.
Does atorvastatin affect sleep?
The top-selling statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor). How they can cause insomnia: The most common side effect of all types of statins is muscle pain, which can keep people who take them awake at night and unable to rest.
Is atorvastatin calcium a blood thinner?
Is atorvastatin a blood thinner? No, atorvastatin isn't a blood thinner. It's a statin drug that works to: help improve cholesterol problems.
What does the drug atorvastatin do?
Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (eg, chest pain, heart attack, or stroke) that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels.
What is Pfizer Patient Assistance Program?
The Pfizer Patient Assistance Program provides eligible patients with select Pfizer medicines for free. To qualify: Patients must not have any prescription drug coverage, or not enough coverage to pay for their Pfizer medicines. Patients must meet program income guidelines, which vary by product and household size.
What to do if a patient has no income and does not file taxes?
NOTE: If patient has no income and does not file taxes, a letter from the physician stating the patient has no income OR a notarized letter from a family member is required.
How much does Lipitor cost?
The cost for Lipitor oral tablet 10 mg is around $184 for a supply of 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
What is Lipitor used for?
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a member of the statins drug class and is commonly used for High Cholesterol, High Cholesterol - Familial Heterozygous, High Cholesterol - Familial Homozygous, and others.
How much does a free drug card save?
The free Drugs.com Discount Card works like a coupon and can save you up to 80% or more off the cost of prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs and pet prescriptions.
When does Lipitor Savings Card expire?
Expires. December 31, 2023. Form more information phone: 855-496-8792 or Visit website. Lipitor Savings Card: Eligible patients may pay as little as $4 per 30-day fill with savings of up to $1800 per year; for additional information contact the program at 855-496-8792.
Does Lipitor accept savings cards?
Lipitor Savings Card Rebate: Eligible patients may submit a request for a rebate if their pharmacy does not accept the Savings Card; for additional information contact the program at 855-496-8792.
Is Lipitor generic?
A generic version of Lipitor is available, see atorvastatin prices.
Important Note
Uses
- Atorvastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin". It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, this drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in ex...
How to Use
- Take this medication by mouth usually once daily with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. This drug is best taken in the evening. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medicines. Many of the drugs listed in the Drug Interactions section may increase the chances of muscle injury when used with atorvastatin. Co…
Side Effects
- Headache, diarrhea, stomach/abdominal pain, or joint pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious, possibly fatal, condition called rhabdomyolysis). Stop taking this drug and tell your doctor immediately if you develop: muscle p…
Precautions
- This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active liver disease. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), diabetes (poorly co…
Drug Interactions
- See also the How To Use section. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious, possibly fatal, interactions may occur: certain azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), mibefradil, nefazodone, telithromycin. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting atorvastatin. Use caution if t…
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood cholesterol levels, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. For best results, this medication should be used along with exercise, a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet, and a weight loss program if you are ove…
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.