Common Questions
Common Questions about Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium)
What is the generic name for Lipitor?Lipitor is available as a generic medication atorvastatin calcium, which can be significantly cheaper than the brand name version. |
When is the best time to take Lipitor?Some short-acting statins work better when taken at night (when the body makes more cholesterol). However, Lipitor stays in the body longer than some of the shorter-acting statins. That’s why you can take Lipitor at any time of the day. |
Can you drink alcohol while on Lipitor?Alcohol can interact with Lipitor and increase the risk of side effects, especially those associated with the liver and muscles. You should, therefore, minimize your alcohol intake and avoid heavy drinking (more than 2 glasses per day and more than 5 days per month of alcohol use) while on Lipitor. |
Can I eat grapefruit in the morning and take Lipitor at night?Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can affect how the body processes Lipitor and increase the risk of side effects. While an occasional glass of grapefruit juice is believed to be safe, you should not eat or drink large quantities of grapefruit (more than 1 liter a day) while on Lipitor. Also, keep in mind that eating a quarter or half of a grapefruit is even safer than drinking grapefruit juice because it would take several grapefruits to make one glass of juice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about the safe amount of grapefruit that can be consumed. |
Does Lipitor cause weight gain?Studies have shown that people who take statins, including Lipitor, consume more calories and fats. As a result, they gain more weight over time. It is believed that this is not due to the medication itself but rather due to behavioral changes. Some people on Lipitor may place less emphasis on a healthy diet since the medication is controlling cholesterol for them. Also, a common side effect of Lipitor and other statin medicines is muscle aches and weakness, making it harder for people to exercise and thus lead to weight gain. To maintain a healthy weight while on Lipitor, it is strongly advised that you maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise. |
How quickly does Lipitor lower cholesterol?Your cholesterol numbers should start to improve within 2-4 weeks of starting Lipitor. However, you can maximize your chances of maintaining good cholesterol numbers by combining Lipitor use with a healthy diet and regular exercise. |
How long should you stay on Lipitor?Taking Lipitor regularly as prescribed can bring down your cholesterol levels noticeably in about 4 weeks. Usually, treatment with a statin medication like Lipitor is lifelong. The cholesterol-lowering benefits continue as long as you take Lipitor. |
Does Lipitor affect bowel movements?Potential side effects of Lipitor include diarrhea and indigestion. If these side effects are bothersome for you, talk to your doctor about dosage adjustment or alternative treatment options for high cholesterol. |
Why was Lipitor taken off the market?Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that makes Lipitor, had recalled some bottles of Lipitor 40 mg due to an unusual odor. A medical assessment later determined that the odor did not cause any adverse health effects. |
Do statins age you faster?Laboratory experiments have shown that stem cells treated with statins may have slower cell growth and premature aging. However, there is a large gap between laboratory experiments on minced fat cells and real-world conditions in the human body. Other studies have shown that statins could slow aging. The science behind aging and statins is not entirely understood, but what is certain is that by lowering your cholesterol levels, statins such as Lipitor can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and thereby prolong a healthy lifespan. |
What is the safest drug to take for high cholesterol?Statins are the safest and best tolerated cholesterol-lowering drug class. Lipitor is one of the most potent statins with a long duration of action. |
What dosages are available for Lipitor?Lipitor is available in the following strengths: 2.5 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 20 mg | 30 mg | 40 mg. This drug is available in the following forms: Oral tablet. Make sure to follow your prescription regimen according to your doctor’s instructions. |
What is the price of Lipitor without insurance?Without insurance, Lipitor can be as high as $147.53 (generic), but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $7.56 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions of Lipitor like . It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of Lipitor with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on Lipitor—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for Lipitor. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medication, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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