Atorvastatin | What All Patients Need to Know

Are you taking Atorvastatin? British-trained GP Dr Jaunbocus tells you all you need to know about your medication.

Atorvastatin works on the liver reducing the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Atorvastatin isn't suitable for everyone; we will discuss who should and who should not take Atorvastatin. Atorvastatin has side effects in some patients.

Dr Jaunbocus will discuss the side effects of Atorvastatin and how these side effects can affect you, and when you should notify your doctor or attend the hospital.

#Atorvastatin #Sideeffects #Patientinfo

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction to Atorvastatin
0:31 What is a Atorvastatin
0:59 How does Atorvastatin work?
1.05 Who should take Atorvastatin? Is Atorvastatin suitable for me?
1:40 Who might not be suitable for Atorvastatin? Who shouldn't take Atorvastatin?
2:33 How to take Atorvastatin. How Should I take my Atorvastatin?
2:54 I forgot to take my Atorvastatin. What should I do?
3:09 Follow-up tests/labs with Atorvastatin
3:27 What are the Side Effects of Atorvastatin
5:10 When you should STOP taking your Atorvastatin - Side Effects / Complications
6:15 Which medications interact with Atorvastatin?
7:24 Can I drink Alcohol with Atorvastatin?
7:41 Outro & Legal Disclaimer

......................

Patient Information videos produced by GMC registered/Certified Doctors.

Videos cover definitions, aetiology, symptoms, clinical features, management, prognosis and complications of various medical topics.

Our clinicians:
1. Dr A. Hart-Pinto MBChB (Hons) BSc (Hons) MRCS
2. Dr Najeebah Jaunbocus MBChB MRCGP

Our clinical information aims to adhere to the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance and that agreed upon by YouTube Health.

......................

Further Reading - Resources for Patients

NHS - Atorvastatin

......................

References

EMC - Atorvastatin

BNF

......................

Last Review: 5th Jan 2023

Next review date: 5th Jan 2026

Author: Dr Najeebah Jaunbocus

Internally peer-reviewed: Dr Andrew Hart Pinto 14th Oct 2020

......................

Patient Information videos produced by GMC registered/Certified Doctors.

Videos cover definitions, aetiology, symptoms, clinical features, management, prognosis and complications of various medical topics.

Our clinicians:
1. Dr A. Hart-Pinto MBChB (Hons) BSc (Hons) MRCS
2. Dr Najeebah Jaunbocus MBChB MRCGP

Our clinical information aims to adhere to the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance and that agreed upon by YouTube Health.

.....................

All images used in this video are licensed for commercial use. See:

......................

Medical Lectures and OSCE Videos produced by GMC are registered/Certified Doctors. JHP Medical website provides access to online questions, videos and lecture notes.

Lectures cover definitions, aetiology, symptoms, clinical features, management, prognosis and complications of various medical topics. Also covered are medical statistics, ethics and law.

Authors:
1. Dr A. Hart-Pinto MBChB (Hons) BSc (Hons) MRCS
2. Dr Najeebah Jaunbocus MBChB MRCGP

....

....

Legal Disclaimer

JHP Medical UK contains content generated by our doctors. Content provided via YouTube is for general information purposes ONLY. Information videos are not produced to provide individualised medical advice. Medical education videos on JHP Medical UK are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER ignore professional medical advice because of something you have heard here. ALWAYS consult your doctor regarding any concerns about your condition or treatment.

Reasonable effort shall be made to update the information on the JHP Medical UK YouTube channel. However, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content is accurate, complete or up-to-date.

[JHPMedicalUK]

Hi, thanks for watching. JHP Medical has NO AFFILIATION with drug manufacturers (AKA BIG PHARMA), and we NEVER will. Our only AIM is to educate patients about their medications. We do NOT recommend or endorse any medication discussed, nor can we provide individual medical advice. Instead, the information provided here is intended to assist patients in making clear, informed decisions with their doctors.

[rubinbrown]

The side effects weren't really understood until it was almost to late, I quit taking them, now I feel great again !!!

[LucidDreamer]

Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. An alternative treatment is to adjust your diet. My doctor wanted me to start using atorvastatin. I refused. I adjusted my diet instead. My cholesterol level went from 214 to 118, and my triglyceride level went from 517 to 106. People don't need a statin drug if they are willing to change to a healthier diet.

[John]

A few years ago I started atorvastatin for my cholesterol. I’m an active 55 year old. I exercise most days. I took a TRX class at the gym was was at the end of a busy week of mountain biking and several days of golf. After the class I was sore like never before. I could barely walk. I went urine at the end of the day and it was like coffee. I called the doctor and they had me go to the e/r. After blood work, I was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. That is the dying of muscles and toxins are released into your blood. I ended up staying in the hospital for four days while they flushed my system with large volumes of saline. Although this is very rare, keep an eye out. If you’re active, stay hydrated. If you work out, don’t overdo it. Listen to your body.

[williamfaith]

Tore my muscles to pieces, I ripped biceps left and right off my shoulders, pulled muscles in my hands, back, my knees went to the point I could barely walk, I questioned my doctor on several occasions and complained, she told me I was getting old, I did some research it was quite the contrary🥺Damage already done, I am recovering very slowly, Those things made me feel 100 years old, damage very Subtle be very careful

[mikebuckley]

I've had 20+ years of back trouble, muscle aches (including absolutely appalling leg cramps, agonising), various other issues including memory loss and weight gain. With the cooperation of my GP I've stopped taking Atorvastatin, and I've never felt better. I have high cholesterol (genetic) but frankly, my quality of life is considerably improved, and I'll not take Atorvastatin ever again.

[chrishanke]

I am on atorvastatin for several years now and I have had no side effects or issues with it. My cholesterol levels are very good and both my Cardiologist and my Endocrinologist are happy with the results thus far.

[martinearl]

I refused statins because of the potentially dangerous side effects. I did some reading, changed my diet and now my cholesterol is normal.

[MsPea]

At 68, I developed a small pain in my chest that seemed to come and go. I ignored it for about a week until a friend insisted I have it checked. Went to the ER and my troponin (protein in the blood released when heart is damaged) was high, indicating I was having a "cardiac incident." I actually had a heart attack in the ER and then had a quintuple bypass. I'm now on Atorvastatin and blood pressure medication. I escaped death once, I will not risk it again. I intend to take my pills forever, under the direction of my doctor. I feel fine. I have no problem with any of the pills I'm on. I believe they are protecting my life, along with my healthy diet and exercise.

[tiocfaidh]

I used to take Atorvastatin. My GP decided (as a type 1 diabetic on insulin) that I should take it without discussing the medication, side affects etc. My cholesterol has always been good. I stopped the statin without discussing. A few years later I had a regular blood test. The cholesterol was as good as ever! The nurse stated that was due to Atorvastatin. I said nothing but thought how funny that despite not taking the statin my cholesterol level is as good as ever.

[Kevin_Barr]

When I started taking Atorvastatin in 2019 I returned several time to my doctor for a cough. I specifically asked about this medication and was told it’s nothing.
After almost 4 years I’ve been diagnosed with ILD.
Don’t wait if you have any symptoms it is life or death.

[thepatriot]

My father died of a heart attack at the age of 47, following long untreated cardiovascular disease. A few weeks ago, one of my brothers died at the age of 48, in very similar conditions. My brother refused statins following advice on the Internet from people who think they know better. When I was 27, I found out that my blood cholesterol is 380. Knowing the fate of my father, I warned my brothers. This one could not be convinced. Like my father, he got progressively sick. Almost all main arteries were obturated by more than 60%, so much so that he was deemed inoperable. For example, one of the two carotid arteries was fully blocked (!!!) and the other was 50% obturated. He became mentally sluggish, and it amazes me he managed to live for 4 more years. The left femoral artery was also fully blocked, but the leg managed to survive with the blood it was getting by diffusion. He could barely walk.

I started statin treatment when I was 27. When I moved to Boston and NYC, the doctors at Mass General and Weill-Cornell scoffed at the low dose I was on. They increased it to 40 mg Atorvastatin. A recent abdominal CAT scan done for unrelated reasons showed minimal atherosclerosis of the abdominal artery (I am 50). Reading the report, I was thinking that my younger brother had it over 60% blocked. The difference? Statins. Do they have side effects? Yes, for me, mainly constipation. But until better medication is discovered, it is what it is.

My brother was not an idiot. Out of curiosity, I looked at the people he was following on Facebook and YouTube. The last opened YouTube page on his computer, was for a Dr. Campbell who "convinced" him not to get vaccinated against Covid19, against the wishes of his doctors. (He died of a massive heart attack, not Covid.) My impression is that these people are not ill-intended, just not competent enough. I have a PhD in chemical physics, and I understand the science pretty well. Make sure the person you talk to is competent. Don't think you can just simply understand what is going on. It is impossible to learn enough chemistry and medicine to take sound decisions. Good luck!

[baitguru]

I had issues with Atorvastatin, and at the age of 51, after more than 6 months of taking it, I had pain in my back, and shoulders joints (when lifting my arms, like an impingement (I couldn't even do pushups without severe pain). I had visits with several doctors, including Orthopedics surgeon. An X-RAY, and MRI didn't reveal much, except a "possible" Rotator cuff damage. Not enough for surgery and they had me attend physical therapy. Several weeks of Therapy didn't help relieve the pain, and then my knees started giving me pain (I felt like I had aged 20 years in the past 3 months), and the pain was preventing me from enjoy my long walks, bikes, and light jogging.

I checked with my pharmacist, asking them if one, or a combination of the medications I had been prescribed could be causing this. They indicated it is common for patients to have issues with Atrovastastin, or another statin, and recommended having my doctor switch to another statin.

For months I stopped taking Atorvastatin, and within 4 days all my pain stopped. However, my next doctor visit my physician indicated that my cholesterol was elevated compared to previous tests (not high in comparison with the normal population, but I have another medical condition where it is recommended that mine be lower to prevent kidney complications). After I informed them of the issue, they prescribed Rosuvastatin and I continued to not have any join pain. However, I can't help but wonder if these statins are preventing me from getting a good night sleep?

[marct]

My mom had been taking Crestor for years without problems, but then when Lipitor went generic the pharmacy switched her to atorvastatin and it was right before she went on a group trip to NYC. After she got there, her legs went stiff as a board and hurt very badly. She couldn't get around the city and had to have help. After she got back to Houston, I told her to stop the atrovastatin and get her doctor to put her back on the Crestor -- no more problems. This was maybe a decade ago and still no problems taking rosuvastatin every day.

[wiseguyst]

I have been on it 10mg for the past 22 years. No problems. Cholesterol under control. Have to do a liver function test every 6 months. So far everything is normal.

[d.matthews]

My mother has been taking a statin medication for decades. She’s now 96 & 1/2. I’ve never known anyone else who has taken as many prescription drugs as my mom has. I’m now on Atorvastatin & I’m fine. Sometimes, one has little choice. Both my parents & my older sibling have high cholesterol so it seems to run in my family. 🇨🇦

[snickersfine]

Thank you! I feel much better now taking my medication now that I’ve viewed your video explaining everything. Thank you!

[robertranger]

Sound. Concise and enlightening advice. Good base of knowledge to discuss effects with the doctor

[BarbosaUral]

This is more info than I got from my GP. Good job...from USA

[cindylandry]

Lipitor made my husband a whole different person at 40 mg. I was ready to have him checked for dementia. Finally they are doing studies regarding it affecting one’s personalities.