For oral dosage form (tablets): For high cholesterol: Adults—At first, 10 or 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Child dosage (ages 0–9 years) Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Computer 'Nudge' Spurs Doctors to Prescribe Statins to Heart Patients, Statins Going Generic Saved Medicare Billions. Do not breastfeed while you are taking this medicine. Your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with atorvastatin. Atorvastatin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. In patients with HIV taking lopinavir plus ritonavir, use the lowest dose necessary of LIPITOR. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Take the medicine at the same time each day. In rare cases, atorvastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to atorvastatin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Version: 21.01. Other drugs may interact with atorvastatin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Patients who require a large reduction in LDL-C (more than 45%) may be started at 40 mg once daily. LIPITOR can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Renal disease does not affect the plasma concentrations nor LDL-C reduction of LIPITOR; thus, dosage adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction is not necessary [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Generic Name: atorvastatin (a TOR va sta tin) You should not use atorvastatin if you are allergic to it, or if you have: Atorvastatin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. In patients taking clarithromycin, itraconazole, elbasvir plus grazoprevir, or in patients with HIV taking a combination of saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir plus ritonavir or letermovir therapy with LIPITOR should be limited to 20 mg, and appropriate clinical assessment is recommended to ensure that the lowest dose necessary of LIPITOR is used. Atorvastatin is used together with diet to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use atorvastatin only for the indication prescribed. Select one or more newsletters to continue. How long does atorvastatin stay in the system after stopping the drug? Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of them. In patients taking clarithromycin, itraconazole, elbasvir plus grazoprevir, or in patients with HIV taking a combination of saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir plus ritonavir or letermovir therapy with LIPITOR should be limited to 20 mg, and appropriate clinical assessment is recommended to ensure that the lowest dose necessary of LIPITOR is used. Atorvastatin is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control.