Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol. Atorvastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body. Atorvastatin reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lowering your cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and hardening of the arteries, conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and vascular disease.
Atorvastatin over the counter as soon possible following a liver function test, as is currently done.
What else can I do?
In addition to your usual medications you should talk to your doctor about the following:
Taking statins together if you are taking certain medications that increase LDL cholesterol such as: phenylbutazone (Nystatin) amlodipine (Claritin®) cimetidine (Tagamet®) phenobarbital (Ultram, Dilantin®, etc.) or barbiturates
taking certain medications that increase LDL cholesterol such as: taking any other medications that can cause liver damage such as: phenytoin (Dilantin) carbamazepine (Carbatrol®) tri-cyclic hydantoin (Trileptal®) or any other medicines that have been linked to liver problems such as: cyclosporine (Coumadin), and some of the antibiotics used to treat certain liver infections. Also, never take statins for more than two consecutive days.
if you have any of the following: liver disease, high cholesterol (i.e. a lipid ratio of 4.4 to 1 or over 400mg/dl) any type of metabolic disorder or are at risk for developing liver or kidney problems.
What if I have questions about my