Some patients decide to stop taking statins, a cholesterol lowering drug, if they experience side effects. One of the most common complaints of people taking statins is muscle pain. Atorvastatin lipitor is an inexpensive drug that lowers levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. The fda warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins. Do not take atorvastatin if youre pregnant, trying to get. But most people tolerate them well and do not have any problems. Michael mazzariello is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against pfizer, accusing the manufacturer of lipitor, of deceptive marketing practices and failing to warn patients of the side effects of the drug. The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick nausea, diarrhoea and coldlike symptoms.
Generic atorvastatin is covered by most medicare and insurance. Atorvastatin oral tablet doesnt cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects. Some users have reported that they experienced memory loss while taking the. Oral, torrent pharmaceuticals limited, 201223, not applicable, us us. Side effects 20 tr brrip xvi d avaralarforum sunar. Nine common side effects including nosebleeds and headaches statins are a group of medicines used to lower blood cholesterol levels. However, it can be difficult to determine whether these side effects occur due to the medication or to other factors. As of 2011, it is available in generic and brand versions. Find patient medical information for lipitor oral on webmd including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings. Side effects prompt patients to stop cholesterol drugs npr. My doctor recently prescribed atorvastatin lipitor because of my high ldl cholesterol level.
I immediately thought of the lipitor because a known side effect of it. Atorvastatin, the metabolism of atorvastatin can be increased when. About 18 percent of people report a side effect to their doctor, says abramson, and there is evidence that older people have more side effects, including muscle aches, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction, increased risk of diabetes and liver dysfunction. Statins, developed a quartercentury ago, were originally viewed as having few side effects, but in recent years the u. I was taking lipitor for about a week, when one morning i woke up with severe numbness and pain in my left leg. In clinical studies, patients reported the following common side effects while taking lipitor. Thank you for visiting our informational page regarding lipitor claims. However, this side effect has raised concerns about potential longterm effects of lipitor on the liver, and rare instances of liver failure have been reported. Rare lipitor side effects during clinical studies, there were a number of other side effects that occurred in less than 2 percent of people while they were taking lipitor. Earlier findings published in 20 in the journal current diabetes reports. Lipitor uses, dos and donts, dietary tips, and serious risks. Older individuals are more likely to experience the wellknown musclerelated side effects of statins compared with younger individuals. Extreme fatigue was first followed by severe joint pain in my legs and arms. Statins are known to be highly effective in preventing heart disease but there have been concerns over side effects.
There is limited evidence to prove a causeeffect relationship, but talk to your doctor if you experience memory loss or confusion while taking statins. Statins such as lipitor atorvastatin can cause digestive problems, blood sugar problems, muscle aches and stiffness, muscle injury, kidney damage, or liver damage. Serious lipitor side effects include muscle disease called myopathy and muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. If you find certain side effects particularly troublesome, talk to the doctor in charge of your care. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Food and drug administration has added warnings about increased risks of diabetes and cognition problems. Like all medicines, statins can cause side effects. Other frequently reported side effects included muscle pain and spasms, and persistent problems falling and staying asleep. Common lipitor side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain. There are also rare side effects of this medication, such as asthma, depression, and hair loss.
The risk of these complications rises when patients take atorvastatin at the same time. 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. The problem is that we do not know the real figure regarding harms and adverse effects caused by statins. Since the known side effects of statins can be felt much more acutely than the effects of cholesterol and in some cases can be crippling, it is natural to wonder if it is worth taking these drugs and suffering under potential complications. Since when is cholesterol a disease or a condition. In 20 a bitter dispute erupted after the british medical journal bmj published two articles, one a commentary. However, like all medicine, statin drugs have side effects. Reviewed atorvastatin on 3262019 never had high cholesterol but i was prescribed this drug after a stent procedure as a preventative. Some people need to stop taking this medicine if these problems occur. Worried sick about lipitor side effects note sure what forum to post this in, as it relates to lipitor, muscle weakness, panic attacks, and anxiety. The following additional side effects have been reported with lipitor. Commonly reported side effects of atorvastatin include. Common and rare side effects for lipitor oral webmd. The topselling statins are atorvastatin lipitor, lovastatin mevacor, rosuvastatin crestor and simvastatin zocor.
Very sorry to hear of additional statin ill effects. Common side effects include joint pain, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pains. Hmgcoa reductase inhibitors statins are a widely used class of drug, and like all medications have potential for adverse effects aes. Lipitor side effects jack nicholson describes lipitor side. Statins have demonstrated substantial benefits in supporting cardiovascular health.
The most common side effects reported during lipitor clinical trials were coldlike symptoms, joint pain, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, stomach pain and nausea. A young womans world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects. However, if you feel that you have any questions about other defective drugs or drug recalls, or other legal concerns that we may help you with, please call us or fill out the evaluation form. Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipid levels. Researchers looked at data on more than 160,000 women who participated in the womens health initiative whi between 1993 and 2005. A woman turns to prescription medication as a way of handling her anxiety concerning her husbands upcoming release from prison. You should discuss the benefits and risks of taking statins with your doctor before you start taking the medicine. These myopathies are characterized by muscle pain and weakness, with or without muscle damage. At this time we are no longer accepting cases regarding lipitor cases. Buy lipitor atorvastatin calcium online blink health rx. Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. Statins, such as atorvastatin lipitor, simvastatin zocor, rosuvastatin crestor, and lovastatin mevacor, are commonly prescribed. Pfizer sued by two men over lipitor side effects health. See what others have said about lipitor, including the effectiveness, ease of use and side effects. Elderly females may be especially vulnerable to statinrelated muscle disorder. If experienced, these tend to have a severe expression. Lipitor and diabetes risk for women lipitor diabetes. These side effects reverse once you stop taking the medication.
In some people, lipitor may cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and muscle and joint pain. Jack nicholson describes lipitor side effects jack nicholson, the side effects i got from lipitor the best description of side effects from lipitor. Very rarely, statins can cause lifethreatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis rabdoemyolihsis. 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. In the worst cases, the pain caused by statins can be. Worried sick about lipitor side effects healthboards. Side effects of lipitor atorvastatin calcium, warnings, uses. The harms probably affect 9%, even if whether 20% have myalgia and myopathy. Insomnia 10 medications that can cause sleeplessness. I decided to stop this medication in my own, havent discussed it with my dr.
Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they were caused by the medication or another factor. Lipitor uses, dos and donts, dietary tips, and serious. About twothirds of people with side effects quit taking statins. Lipitor atorvastatin improves your cholesterol levels and is a common first treatment for people with high cholesterol or heart disease. The risk of very serious side effects is extremely low, and calculated in. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor right away.
A study published in the archives of internal medicine in january 2012 specifically focused on the diabetes risk for women using lipitor and other other statins. Lamotrigine has relatively few sideeffects and does not require laboratory. I am 33 years old, and have been told by my doctor that i have genetically high cholesterol, despite running regularly and eating well. As musculoskeletal and exercise specialists, physical therapists have a unique opportunity to identify adverse effects related to statin use. Although the official prescribing information lists urinary tract infections as a possible side effect, there is no mention of testicular pain. More common side effects some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral. Myalgia is the most common side effect of statin use, with documented rates from. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a firstline treatment. What are the possible side effects of atorvastatin lipitor. Elevated blood sugar levels have been reported with statins, including lipitor. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have side effects that bother you or that will not go away. Atorvastatin may also reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with risk factors for heart disease.
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