Atorvastatin Side Effects
Content
Atorvastatin Side Effects
Posted on April 27, 2012
Atorvastatin is a hypolipidemic (cholesterol lowering) drug of the class known as statins. It is a selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Atorvastatin can be prescribed for patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and a history of cerebrovascular disease (stroke), who have high levels of fat in the blood, in order to reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease, reduce the likelihood of nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke, and reduce the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures. Atorvastatin can also be used by young people suffering from familial (heritable) hypercholesterolemia. Atorvastatin should be used along with proper diet and physical exercises and only when other dietary and physical hypolipidemic attempts have failed.
Side effects
Usually, people who use Atorvastatin do not experience any side effects. However, up to 16.7% may suffer from some adverse effects. The most common side effects associated with Atorvastatin are:
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Nausea Dry mouth Cheilitis Vomiting Heartburn Dyspepsia Gastritis Gastroenteritis Colitis Stomach upset Abdominal pain Flatulence
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Constipation Diarrhea Weakness Headache Anxiety Emotional lability Insomnia Dizziness Dry eyes Myalgias Back pain Joint pain Arthritis Flu-like syndrome Mild sore throat (pharyngitis) Runny or stuffy nose Sinusitis Bronchitis
Apart from the common side effects mentioned above, Atorvastatin may cause:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Tiredness Dizziness Fainting Depression Nightmares Memory loss Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Loss of appetite Increased appetite Weight gain Weight loss Tenesmus Nose bleeding Hair loss (alopecia) Dry skin Acne Seborrhea Tactile hypersensitivity Muscle spasms Stiff neck Phototoxicity Testicular pain Decreased libido Erectile dysfunction
Like any other drug, Atorvastatin may lead to allergic reactions manifesting in the form of rash, urticaria, itching, severe dizziness, swallowing or breathing difficulty, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, hands, eyes, face, lips, tongue and throat, unusual hoarseness, angioedema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock and anaphylactoid reactions. These reactions are serious and require urgent medical attention.
Atorvastatin may also cause some toxic reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme with its first sign – bullous rash. These reactions are also serious and equally require immediate medical attention.
Rare side effects
In some rare cases, Atorvastatin may cause such side effects as hearing loss, visual disturbances, blurred vision, nyctalopia, pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones, taste changes, fruit-like breath odor, ulcers or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, lack of strength, excessive muscle tonus, dermatomyositis, hoarseness, shivering, fever, cough, interstitial lung disease, gout, pale skin, sweating, increased thirst, lower back or side pain, yellowing of the eyes and skin, gynecomastia, menstrual cycle alterations.
Changes in laboratory tests
Due to Atorvastatin intake, laboratory test results may reveal some abnormalities such as hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hepatic enzymes levels (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) eleveation, increased creatinine kinase level, oliguria, polyuria, myoglobinuria, proteinuria, hematuria, positive antinuclear antibodies, elevated anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AchR) antibodies levels, thyroid dysfunction, changes in blood sugar levels (hypo- and hyperglycemia), hypospermia, bloody, tarry or pale stools.
Serious side effects
Some of Atorvastatin’s side effects are quite serious. Among them are:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Dementia Paranoia Slurred speech Cranial nerve dysfunction Ophthalmoplegia Diplopia Horizontal and vertical strabismus Ocular myasthenia Myogenic ptosis Eye hemorrhage Glaukoma Inability to move or feel face Increased body movements Ataxia Hyperreflexia Peripheral nerve palsy Tremor Paresthesias Migraine Polymyalgia Severe muscle pain Rhabdomyolysis (muscle’s damage)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Myositis (muscle’s inflammation) Bursitis Tendinous synovitis Severe myopathy Swelling of a tendon or joint Tendon rupture Stomatitis Gingival hemorrhage Esophagitis Anorexia Severe or persistent nausea and vomiting Severe abdominal pain Stomach ulcer Intestinal ulcer Pancreatitis Cholestatic jaundice Fatty changes of the liver Hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver failure Hepatic necrosis (sometimes fulminant) Rectal hemorrhage Asthma Pneumonia Shortness of breath Chest pain (angina pectoris) High blood pressure Postural hypotension Arrhythmia Fast heartbeat Peripheral edema (due to excess fluid retention) Vasculitis Phlebitis Lupus erythematosis Polyneuropathy Peripheral neuropathy Unusual bleeding and bruising Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke Swollen and tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin Painful or difficult urination Nephrolithiasis Loss of bladder control Urinary tract infection Hemorrhagic cystitis Renal failure Epididymitis Vaginal bleeding Metrorrhagia
Side effects in pregnant women
Pregnant women should not use Atorvastatin because it’s intake may lead to defects in the fetus or death of the fetus.
Side effects in children
In some cases, children can use Atorvastatin and this drug has been proven to be safe among children older than 12 years.
Conclusions
You may never experience any of the side effects listed above. Your doctor cannot predict your body’s reaction to Atorvastatin until you have tried it. That is why you should not forget to let your doctor know if you notice some changes in your health condition after taking Atorvastatin. Therefore, when you feel something is wrong, ask your doctor for advice and he or she will diagnose if your problem is connected with the medicine intake. You should also be careful because some of the side effects of Atorvastatin require urgent medical attention. In addition, do not take Atorvastatin if you are planning to get pregnant. This entry was posted in Drugs Side Effects. Bookmark the permalink. ← Citalopram Side Effects
Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided by a medical writer and should be used for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor with questions you may have.
Posted on April 27, 2012
Atorvastatin is a hypolipidemic (cholesterol lowering) drug of the class known as statins. It is a selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Atorvastatin can be prescribed for patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and a history of cerebrovascular disease (stroke), who have high levels of fat in the blood, in order to reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease, reduce the likelihood of nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke, and reduce the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures. Atorvastatin can also be used by young people suffering from familial (heritable) hypercholesterolemia. Atorvastatin should be used along with proper diet and physical exercises and only when other dietary and physical hypolipidemic attempts have failed.
Side effects
Usually, people who use Atorvastatin do not experience any side effects. However, up to 16.7% may suffer from some adverse effects. The most common side effects associated with Atorvastatin are:
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Nausea Dry mouth Cheilitis Vomiting Heartburn Dyspepsia Gastritis Gastroenteritis Colitis Stomach upset Abdominal pain Flatulence
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Constipation Diarrhea Weakness Headache Anxiety Emotional lability Insomnia Dizziness Dry eyes Myalgias Back pain Joint pain Arthritis Flu-like syndrome Mild sore throat (pharyngitis) Runny or stuffy nose Sinusitis Bronchitis
Apart from the common side effects mentioned above, Atorvastatin may cause:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Tiredness Dizziness Fainting Depression Nightmares Memory loss Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Loss of appetite Increased appetite Weight gain Weight loss Tenesmus Nose bleeding Hair loss (alopecia) Dry skin Acne Seborrhea Tactile hypersensitivity Muscle spasms Stiff neck Phototoxicity Testicular pain Decreased libido Erectile dysfunction
Like any other drug, Atorvastatin may lead to allergic reactions manifesting in the form of rash, urticaria, itching, severe dizziness, swallowing or breathing difficulty, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, hands, eyes, face, lips, tongue and throat, unusual hoarseness, angioedema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock and anaphylactoid reactions. These reactions are serious and require urgent medical attention.
Atorvastatin may also cause some toxic reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme with its first sign – bullous rash. These reactions are also serious and equally require immediate medical attention.
Rare side effects
In some rare cases, Atorvastatin may cause such side effects as hearing loss, visual disturbances, blurred vision, nyctalopia, pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones, taste changes, fruit-like breath odor, ulcers or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, lack of strength, excessive muscle tonus, dermatomyositis, hoarseness, shivering, fever, cough, interstitial lung disease, gout, pale skin, sweating, increased thirst, lower back or side pain, yellowing of the eyes and skin, gynecomastia, menstrual cycle alterations.
Changes in laboratory tests
Due to Atorvastatin intake, laboratory test results may reveal some abnormalities such as hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hepatic enzymes levels (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase) eleveation, increased creatinine kinase level, oliguria, polyuria, myoglobinuria, proteinuria, hematuria, positive antinuclear antibodies, elevated anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AchR) antibodies levels, thyroid dysfunction, changes in blood sugar levels (hypo- and hyperglycemia), hypospermia, bloody, tarry or pale stools.
Serious side effects
Some of Atorvastatin’s side effects are quite serious. Among them are:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Dementia Paranoia Slurred speech Cranial nerve dysfunction Ophthalmoplegia Diplopia Horizontal and vertical strabismus Ocular myasthenia Myogenic ptosis Eye hemorrhage Glaukoma Inability to move or feel face Increased body movements Ataxia Hyperreflexia Peripheral nerve palsy Tremor Paresthesias Migraine Polymyalgia Severe muscle pain Rhabdomyolysis (muscle’s damage)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Myositis (muscle’s inflammation) Bursitis Tendinous synovitis Severe myopathy Swelling of a tendon or joint Tendon rupture Stomatitis Gingival hemorrhage Esophagitis Anorexia Severe or persistent nausea and vomiting Severe abdominal pain Stomach ulcer Intestinal ulcer Pancreatitis Cholestatic jaundice Fatty changes of the liver Hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver failure Hepatic necrosis (sometimes fulminant) Rectal hemorrhage Asthma Pneumonia Shortness of breath Chest pain (angina pectoris) High blood pressure Postural hypotension Arrhythmia Fast heartbeat Peripheral edema (due to excess fluid retention) Vasculitis Phlebitis Lupus erythematosis Polyneuropathy Peripheral neuropathy Unusual bleeding and bruising Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke Swollen and tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin Painful or difficult urination Nephrolithiasis Loss of bladder control Urinary tract infection Hemorrhagic cystitis Renal failure Epididymitis Vaginal bleeding Metrorrhagia
Side effects in pregnant women
Pregnant women should not use Atorvastatin because it’s intake may lead to defects in the fetus or death of the fetus.
Side effects in children
In some cases, children can use Atorvastatin and this drug has been proven to be safe among children older than 12 years.
Conclusions
You may never experience any of the side effects listed above. Your doctor cannot predict your body’s reaction to Atorvastatin until you have tried it. That is why you should not forget to let your doctor know if you notice some changes in your health condition after taking Atorvastatin. Therefore, when you feel something is wrong, ask your doctor for advice and he or she will diagnose if your problem is connected with the medicine intake. You should also be careful because some of the side effects of Atorvastatin require urgent medical attention. In addition, do not take Atorvastatin if you are planning to get pregnant. This entry was posted in Drugs Side Effects. Bookmark the permalink. ← Citalopram Side Effects
Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided by a medical writer and should be used for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor with questions you may have.
