Lipitor Side Effects

Headaches, muscle pain, diarrhea, and joint pain are common side effects that have been reported with Lipitor. Side effects that are less common can include lack of appetite, back pain, and constipation. Although most people tolerate the medication well, it is possible to develop serious side effects with Lipitor that requires medical attention. Notify your healthcare provider immediately if you develop unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness -- especially with a fever or illness.

 

Lipitor Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium). However, not everyone who takes Lipitor will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When people do develop side effects, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. In previous research studies, up to 2 percent of people stopped taking Lipitor because of side effects.
 
If you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially if they are accompanied by a fever or feeling of illness), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Lipitor. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Lipitor side effects with you.)
  

Common Side Effects of Lipitor

Lipitor has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials, with thousands of people worldwide having been evaluated.
 In these studies, side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common Lipitor side effects included:
 
 
Other common side effects of Lipitor that were observed in more than 2 percent of people included:
 
  • Infections
  • General feeling of weakness (asthenia)
  • The flu
  • Back pain
  • Allergic reaction
  • Constipation
  • Passing gas
  • Heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
  • Sore throat (pharyngitis).

 

The next page details possible rare side effects of Lipitor.
 
(Lipitor Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;