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Following a doctor’s orders with medication is imperative. Those who misuse Lipitor puts themselves at risk for overdose or poisoning. When taken as prescribed, atorvastatin can be useful for many people who need help, alongside lifestyle changes, to manage their cholesterol. Side effects can be managed by adjusting the dose of this medication.
Dr. Arthur Schoenstadt of eMedTV.com explains that if you drink alcohol in moderation, you may be less likely to experience heart disease and stroke by 25 to 40 percent. One drink, according to Schoenstadt, eco sober house ma is a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine and your choice of 1 1/2 ounces of 80-proof liquor or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits. Men can enjoy two drinks per day, while women should limit themselves to one.
Due to the increased risk of side effects from Lipitor, doctors typically will not prescribe cyclosporine and Lipitor together. You can talk with your doctor about safer treatment alternatives. Statin drugs, such as Lipitor, can cause harm to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. Because of this risk, you should not take Lipitor while pregnant. There have not been clinical trials showing whether statins are safe to take during pregnancy.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
The combination of alcohol and statin medication can cause liver damage or disease among other health complications. Statin drugs are prescription medications a healthcare provider gives to lower cholesterol levels. According to the CDC, approximately 47 million adults take medications that target cholesterol levels and work to reduce them. If you have been prescribed Lipitor, it is important to understand how it may interact with alcohol, especially if you consume alcohol regularly. Lipitor is a medication that is taken daily by tablet, and over a duration of years or throughout an individual’s lifetime. This makes it easier to engage in alcohol use while taking Lipitor as one may forget that the medication is in their system.
It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in your body. Occasionally, statin use could cause an increase in the level of enzymes that signal liver inflammation. If the increase is only mild, you can continue to take the drug. Rarely, if the increase is severe, you may need to try a different statin. Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Lipitor
Study participants were evaluated to rule out other causes of their abnormal liver tests, with extensive laboratory tests and an ultrasound evaluation of the liver. Such extensive testing may be cost prohibitive in some situations. These side effects can become dangerous very quickly and must https://soberhome.net/ be reported to the prescribing physician. Self-medicating with Lipitor or generic atorvastatin is extremely dangerous. A typical starting dose is 10 to 20 milligrams, once a day. Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you are more than 12 hours late for the dose.
If you are hospitalized due to serious injury or infection, tell the doctor who treats you that you are taking atorvastatin. Do not stop taking atorvastatin without talking to your doctor. Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about adverse events.
In extreme cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition that may cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death. Alcohol causes increased levels of cholesterolwhen it is used. Interaction of Atorvastatin with Food, Herbs and Alcohol – For your own safety It is important to understand and avoid the drug-food interaction and how to take the medication.
What is Lipitor (Atorvastatin) used for?
However, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before using supplements while taking Lipitor. If you’re taking letermovir or cyclosporine, you should discuss it with your sober house boston physician before taking Lipitor. They’ll select the best medications to treat your condition. Your doctor may prescribe a different drug regimen to avoid this interaction.
The breakdown of these muscle fibers can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which toxins from muscle breakdown are released into the bloodstream and lead to kidney damage. This medicine is also given to lessen the risk of heart attack and stroke. It may also help a person with heart disease or someone at risk of developing heart disease. Alcohol at concentrations that are reached in the blood during a moderate-to-heavy drinking episode decreases diameter of blood vessels in the brain . Increase in a cholesterol level in the blood leads to a buildup of cholesterol in the artery and protects against effect of alcohol on an artery diameter.
- Poor blood circulation in the brain can lead to cerebrovascular disease.
- Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
- Statins are common medications, with 35 million individuals receiving a prescription for one.
Another infrequent side effect of Lipitor is immune-mediated necrosis of muscle . This is a condition when your immune system mistakenly attacks your muscles. Don’t take more of it, don’t use it more often or for longer than you’re told to by your doctor.
Can I take Lipitor (Atorvastatin) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you’re taking several other medications or have any other health conditions, you might forget to take your dose correctly. For example, you may fail to take your medication one day and take too much of it another day. To prevent overdosing, medication reminders such as alarm clocks and pill boxes can be helpful. The moment you take cholesterol medication, it begins its journey to your liver, where it is broken down.
FAQs about Lipitor and interactions
This medicine may help prevent medical problems that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems. Around 1–3% of people who take statins may experience elevated liver enzyme levels, which often cause no symptoms. This side effect tends to occur within the first few months of taking statins and typically does not result in long-term liver damage. Although rare, statins may increase liver enzyme production. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients.
Alcohol also influences mood changes in those who consume it. Symptoms of irritability, agitation, sadness, and anxiety may increase when taking two substances with similar effects. Lipitor and alcohol travel similar paths through the body.3 Alcohol that is consumed orally travels through the digestive system and bloodstream. The liver processes and distributes alcohol to different body parts through the bloodstream, where Lipitor also travels. Cayla Clark grew up in Santa Barbara, CA and graduated from UCLA with a degree in playwriting. Since then she has been writing on addiction recovery and psychology full-time, and has found a home as part of the Guardian Recovery Network team.
If you think you’re experiencing side effects from statins, don’t just stop taking the pills. Talk to your doctor to see if a change of dosage or even a different type of medication might be helpful. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
