Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Side Effects

Myopathy with elevation of creatinine kinase (CK) and rhabdomyolysis are the most serious side effects, although rare <1%.

• Headache is the most common side effect, occurring in more than 10% of patients.

Side effects that occur in 1-10% of patients taking atorvastatin include:

• Weakness
• Insomnia and dizziness.
• Chest pain and peripheral edema.
• Rash
• Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
• Urinary tract infection
• Arthralgia, myalgia, back pain, arthritis
• Sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, rhinitis
• Infection, flu-like syndrome, allergic reaction.

Elevation of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) has been described in a few cases

Other very rare side effects occurring in less than 1% of patients are: alopecia, anaphylaxis, angina, angioneurotic edema, arrhythmia, bullous rashes, cholestatic jaundice, deafness, dyspnea, erythema multiforme, esophagitis, facial paralysis, glaucoma, gout, hepatitis, hyperkinesia, impotence, migraine, myasthenia, myositis, nephritis, pancreatitis, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, petechiae, photosensitivity, postural hypotension, pruritus, rectal hemorrhage, rhabdomyolysis, somnolence, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, syncope, tendinous contracture, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus, torticollis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria, vaginal hemorrhage, and vomiting.

Further Reading

• Lipitor - What is Lipitor?
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Pharmacokinetics
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Uses

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