HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is Lipitor Safe To Be Consumed?

default
Posted on Mon, 13 Feb 2017
Question: Are the Lipitor side effects felt in most people taking it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
side effects occur in the minority

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Lipitor is the trade name for the medication , atorvastatin.

According to medscape.com , a medical website used by doctors mainly, these are the main effects and their frequency.

(1) diarrhea - in 5 to 14 percent of persons, this means 5 to 14 people out of 100 persons who use the medication

The other 86 to 95, would not have this problem

(2)joint pain (arthralgia)- 4 to 12%-- this occurs in 4 to 12 out of 100 persons who use it

(3)nasopharyngitis( runny or congested nose, sore throat)-- occurs in 4 to 13 %---- 4 to 13 persons out of 100 who use it have this problem

(4)myalgia (muscle aches and pain)-- 3 to 8 %

(5)insomnia (difficulty sleeping) --- 1 to 5 %

(6)urinary tract infection 4- 8%-----

(7)increase in liver enzyme blood tests results--- in 2-3%, the liver itself can work okay but there is an increase in certain liver blood tests
When the medication is stopped, the liver enzyme results return to normal.

These are the main possible side effects and they occur in the minority

There are many persons who use these medications and do not experience any problems and there are others , on the other hand, who may have one or more of these effects.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (4 minutes later)
Thank you; these percentages help me make a better decision for my health.

Just one other quick question--if this was you with a high cholesterol level of 266, would you be comfortable not treating this NOW and utilizing the diet/exercise approach only?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
would depend on cholesterol break down and risk factors present

Detailed Answer:
HI

Normally when a cholesterol blood test result is given, the break down is given-- the LDL, HDL, triglycerides, not just the total cholesterol

The LDL is the 'bad' cholesterol, this should be low, triglycerides are also unhealthy

HDL is the 'good cholesterol and want this to be increased.

The total would be made up of a combination of good and bad so it would be difficult to say which is high just looking at the total.

In general however, if you have other risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, increased weight, family history of heart disease or you have a history of heart disease), then I would prefer to treat sooner rather than later

If there are no risk factors, then waiting a few months to see if dietary and other lifestyle changes can help, is not a problem

Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Total cholesterol is 266
Triglycerides is 93
HDL is 59
Non-HDT is 207
Ratio Chol/HDL is 4.51 so not bad?
LDL is 188

I had been fasting for close to 12 hours
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
hdl and triglycerides good

Detailed Answer:
HI

The HDL and triglycerides are good.

The other values are a little too high.

If you do not have any risk factors (no heart disease, no family heart disease, no smoking, no diabetes, no high blood pressure, normal weight), then you can try lifestyle for 3 to 6 months but if you are not comfortable with this then you can ask your doctor to start medication sooner.

Ultimately the decision is yours.

If anything else is unclear, you can let me know
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is Lipitor Safe To Be Consumed?

Brief Answer: side effects occur in the minority Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Lipitor is the trade name for the medication , atorvastatin. According to medscape.com , a medical website used by doctors mainly, these are the main effects and their frequency. (1) diarrhea - in 5 to 14 percent of persons, this means 5 to 14 people out of 100 persons who use the medication The other 86 to 95, would not have this problem (2)joint pain (arthralgia)- 4 to 12%-- this occurs in 4 to 12 out of 100 persons who use it (3)nasopharyngitis( runny or congested nose, sore throat)-- occurs in 4 to 13 %---- 4 to 13 persons out of 100 who use it have this problem (4)myalgia (muscle aches and pain)-- 3 to 8 % (5)insomnia (difficulty sleeping) --- 1 to 5 % (6)urinary tract infection 4- 8%----- (7)increase in liver enzyme blood tests results--- in 2-3%, the liver itself can work okay but there is an increase in certain liver blood tests When the medication is stopped, the liver enzyme results return to normal. These are the main possible side effects and they occur in the minority There are many persons who use these medications and do not experience any problems and there are others , on the other hand, who may have one or more of these effects. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions