Rather, drug-induced liver disease is usually an autoimmune condition, in which the drug prompts some people's bodies to make antibodies which attack their own liver tissue. This is considered an "idiosyncratic" reaction, something that isn't well understood and can't be predicted. Side Effects The FDA states […] When talking about the effect of alcohol on liver disease related to statins, it's important to note that severe liver injury is not usually due to the cumulative effect of the injury. It can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage. Studies have found that some people who use Lipitor have an elevation of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. There are several different ways to explain how statins affect the liver, so let's look at changes in liver tests alone (no symptoms,) clinical liver disease (symptoms) related to statin use, severe liver disease, as well as how statins may actually reduce mortality in some people who already have liver disease. PCSK9 Inhibitors for Cholesterol—Are They Really Miracle Drugs? Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Increased liver function tests are not the only possible side effect. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. Can you drink alcohol with Lipitor (atorvastatin) or other statin medications? You should limit your consumption of grapefruit juice to no more than 1 quart per day during treatment with atorvastatin. Highly clinically significant. Statin Effects Iclude Anti-Inflammatory and Other Health Benefits, Statins: Actions, side effects, and administration, Hepatotoxicity of statins and other lipid-lowering agents. Read our, Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD, Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI, Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. What is the effect of statins on the liver? You should limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. And because high doses of alcohol can damage the liver, your question about statins is a good one since about 2% of people who take these drugs develop chemical evidence of liver inflammation. Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Lipitor and Other Statins? In one study looking at people with severe alcoholic liver disease, the use of statins halved the risk of death from alcoholic cirrhosis. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. According to the FDA, those who take atorvastatin (Lipitor) should use precaution when consuming alcohol. Fact sheets—moderate drinking. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). Always consult with your physician before consuming alcohol while taking Lipitor. 37(2):173-178. doi:10.1111/liv.13308, Athyros V, Alexandrides T, Bilianou H, et al. Atorvastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol may increase that risk. It may be somewhat reassuring to hear that, despite the recommendation to monitor liver tests, and the uncommon risk of severe liver injury, statins may be helpful for some people with liver disease.. By using Verywell Health, you accept our, How Zocor (Simvastatin) Works to Lower Your Cholesterol, Preventing Heart Failure With Lifestyle Changes, Learn About Taking Lipitor or Zocor With Grapefruit Juice, Preventing Heart Failure After Heart Attack, Crestor: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Interactions, What You Should Know About Statin Drug Interactions, Side Effects of Statin Drugs for Cholesterol, Statin Drugs May Not Be Beneficial for Some Older Adults, General Information About Livalo (Pitavastatin), Possible Health Benefits of Moderate Drinking. Metabolism. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. 2013;17(4):636–646. You should limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i27.6201, Maji D, Shaikh S, Solanki D, Gaurav K. Safety of statins. 2016;22(27):6201–6213. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The use of statins alone, or in combination with pioglitazone and other drugs, for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and related cardiovascular risk. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with atorvastatin and lead to potentially dangerous effects. 2017. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Current recommendations are that liver function tests be completed before beginning statin therapy and only repeated if there is a clinical reason to do so. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. In addition, those who have liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C infections may respond better to medications (interferon) when they are given statins. (Of note is that alcohol worsens hepatitis C.). All of that said, excess alcohol could pose a problem for people when combined with Lipitor. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Metabolism. The use of statins alone, or in combination with pioglitazone and other drugs, for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and related cardiovascular risk. Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? There are at least 50 case reports of liver injury in people taking statins which have led to death or the need for liver transplantation.. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. 2017. Looking at these numbers, however, it's important to note that during this time Lipitor has been the number one most prescribed drug worldwide. Mixing statins and alcohol might be risky if you have a history of heavy drinking. Atorvastatin may cause liver problems and using it with substantial quantities of ethanol may increase that risk.