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Usage: Lipitor blocks the production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in your body. Lipitor is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Lipitor is also used to increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions are important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Lipitor and seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); muscle aches, pain, or weakness; "flu-like" symptoms; decreased urine or rust-colored urine; blurred vision; or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Lipitor and talk to your doctor if you experience headache; upset stomach or flatulence; or a rash. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions: Alcohol and Lipitor can both damage your liver. Discuss with your doctor the amount of alcohol that you drink so that it can be determined if Lipitor is the best choice for lowering your cholesterol. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Drug Interactions: Do not take Lipitor without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); gemfibrozil (Lopid); niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Nicotinex, others); clarithromycin (Biaxin); erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Ilotycin, Eryc, PCE, Ilosone, others); or fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral). The medications listed above interact with Lipitor and may cause damage your muscles. Before taking Lipitor, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: other cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); or digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps). You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lipitor. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. The symptoms of an overdose of Lipitor are not known.
Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Storage: Store Lipitor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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