Lipitor (atorvastatin) Disease Interactions
There are 2 disease interactions with Lipitor (atorvastatin):
Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitors (Includes Lipitor) ↔ Liver Disease
Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility
Applies to: Liver Disease, Alcoholism
The use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors is contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are extensively metabolized by the liver. Decreased drug metabolism may lead to accumulation and increased risk of toxicity, including biochemical abnormalities of liver function and, rarely, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty change in the liver, and fulminant hepatic necrosis. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of liver disease and/or heavy alcohol use. A lower initial dosage may be appropriate, and clinical monitoring of liver transaminase levels according to the individual product package labeling is recommended. Patients who develop elevated ALT or AST levels during therapy should be monitored until abnormalities resolve. If an increase above 3 times the upper limit of normal persists, consideration should be given to a reduction in dosage or withdrawal of therapy.
Hmg-Coa Reductase Inhibitors (Includes Lipitor) ↔ Rhabdomyolysis
Severe Potential Hazard, Moderate plausibility
Applies to: Myopathy, Myoneural Disorder
Severe myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria, has been reported rarely with the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The myopathy may be dose-related and is characterized by muscle aches and/or weakness in conjunction with increases in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal. Therapy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting myopathy or a myoneural disorder, since it may delay the recognition or confound the diagnosis of a drug-induced musculoskeletal effect. Patients should be advised to report promptly any unusual muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever. Periodic CPK determinations may be considered in some patients, although the value of such monitoring is uncertain. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy should be withdrawn if markedly elevated CPK levels occur or if drug-related myopathy is diagnosed or suspected.
You should also know about...
Lipitor (atorvastatin) drug Interactions
There are 278 drug interactions with Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Lipitor (atorvastatin) alcohol/food Interactions
There is 1 alcohol/food interaction with Lipitor (atorvastatin)
See also...
Drug Interaction Classification
The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables.
| Major | Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. |
| Moderate | Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. |
| Minor | Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. |
Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
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