Uses
What is Atorvaliq used for?
Atorvaliq (atorvastatin) is commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. It also increases good cholesterol levels (HDL). Improving your cholesterol levels helps decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Atorvaliq may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Atorvaliq work (mechanism of action)?
Atorvaliq lowers blood cholesterol levels by decreasing the amount of cholesterol made by your liver and by increasing the breakdown of bad cholesterol (LDL-C).
How is Atorvaliq supplied (dosage forms)?
Atorvaliq is available as a 20 mg/5 mL oral suspension that is taken by mouth.
How should I store Atorvaliq?
Atorvaliq should be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It may be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it.
Store Atorvaliq in its original bottle in a cool, dry place. You should use it within 60 days of first opening the bottle. Throw out any remaining medicine after 60 days.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Atorvaliq?
The most common side effects of Atorvaliq are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Stuffy or runny nose, sore throat
- Muscle spasms or pain
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Pain in your arms and legs
- Kidney or bladder infection
There may be other side effects of Atorvaliq that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Atorvaliq?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Atorvaliq are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Atorvaliq may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Atorvaliq and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Muscle Problems. Atorvaliq can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness called myopathy. In some people, the muscle may break down (rhabdomyolysis), which can be serious and rarely lead to kidney damage and death. Stop taking Atorvaliq and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
- Unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness
- Low energy levels or feeling easily tired, especially with activity
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Atorvaliq. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light colored poop
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Increased Blood Sugar. Atorvaliq may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Atorvaliq?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Atorvaliq.
- Atorvaliq
- Atorvastatin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Atorvaliq.
Liver Problems. Atorvaliq should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about Atorvaliq before using it?
Do not take Atorvaliq unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Atorvaliq with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Atorvaliq out of the reach of children.
People aged 65 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of Atorvaliq, including muscle pain, weakness, and injury. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Take Atorvaliq on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of Atorvaliq. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Atorvaliq?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Atorvaliq is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Muscle weakness or pain that cannot be explained
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- History of stroke
- Thyroid problems
Other Medicines and Supplements. Atorvaliq may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Atorvaliq, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Atorvaliq may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking Atorvaliq right away and contact your healthcare provider.
Breastfeeding. Do not take Atorvaliq while you are breastfeeding. It is not known if Atorvaliq passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Atorvaliq or breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Atorvaliq?
For more information about Atorvaliq, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.atorvaliq.com.
Interactions
Does Atorvaliq interact with foods or drinks?
Do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice (1.2 liters or more) while taking Atorvaliq. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can increase your risk of developing serious muscle problems.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking Atorvaliq. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink significant amounts of alcohol. Tell your healthcare provider if you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day before taking Atorvaliq.
Does Atorvaliq interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Atorvaliq.
- A medicine used for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis C
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
- A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used to treat bacterial infections
- Colchicine, which is commonly used for gout
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Niacin or a fibrate, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), fenofibrate (Tricor), or fenofibric acid (Fibricor, Trilipix), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- A birth control pill
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Atorvaliq, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Atorvaliq. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Atorvaliq?
If you or someone else has used too much Atorvaliq, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Atorvaliq?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours has passed since your last dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Atorvaliq (atorvastatin)?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.