Taking Atorvastatin? 15 Possible Side Effects to Know
Atorvastatin is an effective statin used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Most people tolerate it well, but side effects can occur.
Possible side effects include
- Muscle aches or soreness
- Muscle weakness or unusual fatigue
- Joint pain
- Back or extremity pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Gas or abdominal discomfort
- Sleep problems
- Rash or other skin reactions
- Changes in liver enzymes on blood tests
- Increased blood glucose or HbA1c
- Rarely, memory problems or confusion have been reported.
Important: having one of these symptoms doesn’t prove atorvastatin is responsible. Muscle aches and tiredness, for example, are common for many reasons.
🚨 Symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored
Contact your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially with fever or unusual tiredness. Rarely, statins can cause severe muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis), which can damage the kidneys.
Also seek medical advice for possible liver problems such as yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, or upper-abdominal pain.
Don’t stop it on your own
If you think atorvastatin is causing side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may adjust the dose, change the statin, or look for another cause rather than leaving your cholesterol untreated.
There are also important interactions with some medicines—including certain antibiotics, antifungals, HIV medicines, colchicine, and some heart/blood-pressure medicines—that can increase the risk of muscle problems.
