Atorvastatin Tablets

What is Atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is also available to buy under the brand name Lipitor.

Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those with high cholesterol. The primary use of Atorvastatin is to reduce the amount of lipids within the blood (Dyslipidaemia), which is a direct risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.

You can buy Atorvastatin on prescription. 

What are Atorvastatin tablets used to treat?

Atorvastatin is used to lower the non-HDL cholesterol levels in your body, in particular the lower density cholesterol (LDL) levels. Atorvastatin also helps to increase the good (HDL) cholesterol levels, which helps to prevent several diseases caused by LDL cholesterol and other non-HDL cholesterol.

Atorvastatin also helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, angina, heart attacks, and strokes caused by high cholesterol.

Atorvastatin should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet to help reduce bad cholesterol levels.

More information on high cholesterol can be found on the NHS website.

How do Atorvastatin tablets treat high cholesterol?

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly known as statins. It works by lowering the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and increasing the HDL (good) cholesterol. 

Atorvastatin also helps to remove LDL from the body by increasing the LDL receptors, which is a primary component when it comes to managing cholesterol levels in the body.

The LDL receptors help to absorb bad cholesterol in the body and pass it into the cells in the liver. LDL receptors are mostly found in the liver, the liver helps to remove excessive and unneeded cholesterol from the body.

Increasing the number of LDL receptors within the body enables more LDL cholesterol to be removed from the body.

Why is Atorvastatin recommended for high cholesterol?

Atorvastatin is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for high cholesterol and is well tolerated in most individuals who are prescribed it.

Clinical studies have shown that Atorvastatin can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol by up to 61% with no serious side effects being reported among the 59 participants of the trial.

Who can take Atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is an effective treatment in reducing 'bad' cholesterol, but it is not suitable for everyone to use.

Atorvastatin can be taken by adults and children who are over the age of 10 years old.

Before you take Atorvastatin, you should inform your doctor if any of these apply to you:

• You drink large quantities of alcohol
• You have liver problems
• You have kidney problems
• You have had a stroke that was caused by bleeding in the brain
• You are allergic to Atorvastatin or any other medicines you have taken in the past
• You have severe lung disease
• You have had or currently have a muscle disorder
• You have taken a statin in the past, and it has affected your muscles

Can you buy Atorvastatin over the counter in the UK?

Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medicine and is not available for purchase over the counter. When you are prescribed atorvastatin, it is likely that your doctor or GP will frequently monitor your cholesterol levels to ensure that the treatment is working effectively. 

Can you buy Atorvastatin online in the UK?

Atorvastatin is available to buy online in the UK. However, you will need to complete an online medical consultation so your condition can be assessed by a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. 

Are there any alternatives to Atorvastatin?

There are 5 types of statins that are used to treat high cholesterol in the UK. 

• Atorvastatin
• Simvastatin
• Fluvastatin
• Pravastatin
• Rosuvastatin

All statins will have a very similar mechanism of action, although indications and doses can vary depending on which statin you are prescribed.

You should always take the statin that you have been prescribed by your doctor, do not switch between statins.

Atorvastatin Indications and Dose

The normal dose for adults is between 10mg and 80mg per day.

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE prescribing guidelines when prescribing Atorvastatin Tablets.

How to take Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with a glass of water. If you have been given chewable tablets from your pharmacy, you can chew them or swallow them whole with a glass of water.

You should take Atorvastatin tablets once a day, they should be taken at the same time every day.

In some cases, certain statins are best taken at night. However, Atorvastatin can be taken in the morning due to its half-life of 14 hours. Statins that have a half-life of less than 6 hours should be taken at night.

Atorvastatin tablets will not have any effect on your stomach, so you can take them with or without food.

Atorvastatin Side Effects

Not everyone will experience side effects and statins can affect people in different ways. Many people who do experience side effects will find that these will ease after a week or so once their body gets used to the medication.

Common side effects of Atorvastatin may include:

• Indigestion or feeling sick
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation or wind
• Nosebleeds
• Aches and pains in your back or joints
• Cold-like symptoms

Aches and pains in your muscles, back or joints may not appear until a few months into taking Atorvastatin. You should report these pains, as well as any tenderness or weakness you may feel, to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

For more detailed information, you should always read the patient information leaflet supplied inside your medication box. 

Atorvastatin Warnings and Drug Interactions

Atorvastatin may interact with other medicines, hindering the effectiveness of this medication.

For more information on medicines that interact with Atorvastatin tablets.

Is Atorvastatin safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not take Atorvastatin if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding. Statin use has been linked to an increase in miscarriages.

Atorvastatin is also not advised during breastfeeding.

Atorvastatin Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Atorvastatin calcium trihydrate

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Atorvastatin in the UK?