Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (Lipitor) is a widely used lipid-lowering drug with atorvastatin as its active ingredient. Its brand name is Lipitor. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, this medication effectively reduces blood cholesterol levels and plays a crucial role in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Side Effects of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (Lipitor)

Hepatic Function Abnormalities

Increased AST (incidence > 5%).

Increased ALT (incidence > 5%).

Increased γ-GTP (incidence > 5%).

Musculoskeletal System-Related Reactions

Muscle pain (frequency unknown).

Weakness (frequency unknown).

Arthritis (frequency unknown).

Gastrointestinal Reactions

Nausea, vomiting (incidence: 0.1% to < 5%).

Diarrhea (incidence: 0.1% to < 5%).

Abdominal pain (incidence: 0.1% to < 5%).

Constipation (incidence: 0.1% to < 5%).

Dyspepsia (incidence: 0.1% to < 5%).

Severe Side Effects of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (Lipitor)

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is one of the most severe side effects of atorvastatin calcium tablets.

Characteristics include: extensive muscle pain and muscle tenderness.

Significant elevation of creatine kinase (CK).

Elevation of myoglobin in blood and urine.

May be accompanied by severe renal injury such as acute kidney injury.

Hepatic Injury

Fulminant hepatitis (frequency unknown).

Hepatitis (frequency unknown).

Jaundice (frequency unknown).

Hematological Abnormalities

Agranulocytosis (frequency unknown).

Pancytopenia (frequency unknown).

Thrombocytopenia (frequency unknown).

Allergic Reactions

Angioedema.

Anaphylactic reactions.

Allergic symptoms such as urticaria.

Precautions for Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (Lipitor)

Contraindicated Populations

Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of this medication.

Patients with impaired hepatic metabolic function, including those with acute hepatitis, acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, or jaundice.

Pregnant women, women of childbearing potential, and lactating women.

Patients currently taking glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.

Patients with Renal Impairment

Most reported cases of rhabdomyolysis occurred in patients with renal impairment.

Rhabdomyolysis may be accompanied by acute deterioration of renal function.

Patients with Hepatic Abnormalities

Contraindicated in patients with impaired hepatic metabolic function.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic disorders or a history thereof.

Elderly Patients

General decline in physiological function.

Higher risk of developing rhabdomyolysis.