Millions of Americans suffer from some form of high cholesterol. Some can reduce their cholesterol levels by simply altering their diet and lifestyle, while others need a combination of diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor. According to the American Heart Association, Lipitor is a member of the statin family, a cholesterol medication commonly prescribed for those with high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol). Although statins are an effective means of cholesterol reduction, they are not without their drawbacks, which come in the form of adverse side effects.
Common Side Effects
When you first begin your course of treatment with Lipitor, you may experience some common side effects that, while unpleasant, are not considered life-threatening. They typically last for brief periods of time until your body adjusts to the medication. These side effects include headache, stuffy nose, itching caused by a skin rash and constipation or bloating.
You may also experience diarrhea, which according to eMedTV.com, is more common among those taking 80mg or more of Lipitor. This site also states that muscle pain is another common side effect. Muscle pain, however, does not seem to be related to the dosage, as it seems to occur more in patients taking 20mg than those taking 80mg. Joint pain, yet another frequently seen side effect, appears to occur most in those taking the 40mg dose of Lipitor.
Less-Common Side Effects
Lipitor may produce additional side effects that still fall under the category of common side effects; however, they may not occur as frequently as the other side effects do. These side effects include an inexplicable rash, general weakness, flu-like symptoms such as chills, body aches and a fever, and constipation. You may also suffer from a sore throat, abdominal or back pain or sinusitis, which causes a stuffy nose. According to eMedTV.com, these side effects occur in 2 to 4 percent of those taking Lipitor.
Serious Side Effects
Lipitor, unlike some medications, has few serious side effects that require you to call your doctor immediately. However, the serious side effects it may produce are severe and should not be ignored. The first are signs of liver damage, which include a yellowing of your skin or eyes, darkened urine and upper abdominal pain on the right side. Next is extreme muscle pain or weakness that is accompanied by a fever or a general feeling of illness. This combination of symptoms may be a sign of muscle breakdown, also known as rhabdomyolysis.
Finally, keep track of the amount of urine you are producing. An increase or decrease in urinary output for no explained reason may be indicative of an impending kidney problem.
Rare But Possible Side Effects
While considered rare, there are some side effects of Lipitor, which have been experienced by less than 2 percent of patients taking it, according to eMedTV.com. Because they are not common, the site states that it is difficult to determine if the side effects are caused by Lipitor or an underlying condition. You should, however, be aware of them and discuss them with your doctor should they arise. These side effects include loss of appetite, depression, erectile dysfunction, fainting, high blood pressure, bloody nose, hair loss, hearing loss and weight gain.
