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How Long Does Lipitor Stay In The Blood Stream?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Jul 2014
Question: I forgot to take my Lipitor which is Cholesterol lowering med. for a couple of days. Is there still medicine in my bloodstream?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Possible to find very smalll amounts

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the query,

It is true that traces of the drug would still be found in your blood. However, what is important in this case is not the mere presence of traces of the drug, but for the drug to be present in an appropriate concentrations and doses to cause the required health effects (therapeutic doses).

When the concentration of the drug are in sub optimal amounts, for sure as in your case now, the therapeutic goal or expected outcome will of course not be attained.

My suggestion is that you start taking the drug normally. DO NOT take extra doses to compensate for the mixed doses. Continue simply with the main recommended and prescribed dosage given to you by your doctor. Extra doses or amounts would produce unwanted effects and at times poisoning.

Continue with your drug normally. As to whether the drug is still found in blood, it is there but in very very low doses, not adequate to produce expected cholesterol lowering.

Kind regards

Dr Bain


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Follow up: Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (7 minutes later)
I am supposed to have a recheck of my LFT this week because my level was at 39 last month. Should I wait a few more days before having it rechecked because I forgot a couple of doses of Lipitor?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No worries, get tested on the destined date

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up question,

You will NOT need to wait in this case. IT is advised that you respect as much as possible your appointment date for your liver function tests. I am afraid a few days not on lipitor, this will of course not alter your LFT. So no worries.

Go back on your normal daily dosage of Lipitor, and get your tests done on the programmed date.

Kind regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Luchuo Engelbert Bain

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3092 Questions

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How Long Does Lipitor Stay In The Blood Stream?

Brief Answer: Possible to find very smalll amounts Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks for the query, It is true that traces of the drug would still be found in your blood. However, what is important in this case is not the mere presence of traces of the drug, but for the drug to be present in an appropriate concentrations and doses to cause the required health effects (therapeutic doses). When the concentration of the drug are in sub optimal amounts, for sure as in your case now, the therapeutic goal or expected outcome will of course not be attained. My suggestion is that you start taking the drug normally. DO NOT take extra doses to compensate for the mixed doses. Continue simply with the main recommended and prescribed dosage given to you by your doctor. Extra doses or amounts would produce unwanted effects and at times poisoning. Continue with your drug normally. As to whether the drug is still found in blood, it is there but in very very low doses, not adequate to produce expected cholesterol lowering. Kind regards Dr Bain