Atorvastatin
Also known as: Lipitor
What it's for
Atorvastatin lowers cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Like simvastatin, it is a statin medicine that works best with healthy lifestyle changes.
Comes as: Tablets
How to take it
- Adults: Usually 10mg to 80mg once a day.
- You can take it at any time of day.
- Take with or without food.
- Continue taking it even if you feel well.
Doses here are typical. Always follow the instructions from your prescriber or on the packet — they come first.
Common side effects
- Headache or feeling dizzy
- Feeling sick, constipation, or wind
- Muscle or joint pain (usually mild)
The leaflet inside the packet lists all known side effects.
Important safety points
- Avoid grapefruit juice - it increases the amount of medicine in your blood
- Report any unexplained muscle pain to your doctor
- Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take
Get medical help urgently if…
- You have unexplained muscle pain or weakness
- Your urine is dark or you pass less urine than normal
- You notice yellowing of skin or eyes
- You have severe stomach pain
Call NHS 111 for urgent advice, or 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Before you act on anything here
This page is general information, written to help you understand — it is not personal medical advice and it cannot tell you what is right for you. Talk to your own GP, pharmacist or nurse about your own health.
- Need help now but it's not an emergency? Call NHS 111 or use 111.nhs.uk.
- Emergency? Call 999 or go to A&E.