Ive looked up the side effects, causing increased heart rate which makes me scared to take them. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. If youre currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. MORE: Hidden Danger: OTC Drugs and Driving. The dosage of your cholesterol medication is based on your cholesterol levels. Side effects from grapefruit-statin interaction are typically mild, such as increase in muscle and joint pain. Gave up diet soda a year ago. Health Benefits of Resveratrol and Should You Take It? Taking CoQ10 supplements along with Lipitor may lower your risk of these side effects. Problems can occur for those who are sensitive to statin medications or those who have kidney disease or other illnesses. Increased risk of stroke. This is my favorite high protein (vegan) overnight oats recipe: 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 cup almond milk 1 scoop protein powder (I have a vegan chocolate coconut one) Then the following topics on top: 1/2 banana (in slices) Raw cocoa nibs Dried coconut flakes Pumpkin pie spice mix. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Common interactions include limb discomfort among females and dysuria among males. Patients often ask about grapefruit and statins and whether they can eat the fruit or drink the juice when on statins, he says. Both Lipitor and Zetia are approved to treat high cholesterol. At this time, its not known if the drug passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a breastfed child. If youve had an allergic reaction to Lipitor or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely wont prescribe Lipitor. Indications LIPITOR (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription medicine that lowers cholesterol in the blood. Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. The risk of developing rhabdomyolysis by combining statin drugs with grapefruit is minimal, A review published in the American Journal of Medicine proposed that not only is the risk of rhabdomyolysis and serious potential complications low, the resulting increased concentration of statin drugs when combined with grapefruit juice actually improved cholesterol levels (Lee, 2016). If you still have questions about Lipitor and its possible interactions, talk with your doctor. Certain herbal supplements, such as St. John's wort, may decrease blood levels of some statin drugs, and when taken with atorvastatin, may . We avoid using tertiary references. (2015). They may monitor you more closely for side effects from your birth control pills. Select a condition to view a list of medication options. If you miss a dose of LIPITOR, take it as soon as you remember. This may increase your risk of side effects, including myopathy (muscle pain), rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), and liver problems. Gu Q, et al. All rights reserved. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. I take lipitor. There's no clear evidence, however, that taking CoQ10 at the same time as atorvastatin will benefit your health. We talked to experts about, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Both Lipitor and alcohol can raise your risk of liver problems, so combining the two may raise your risk of liver problems even more. Which statins must be taken at bedtime? Both Lipitor and alcohol. Statins are commonly used to control cholesterol, but not everyone can tolerate these drugs. Atorvastatin. Digestive problems, rashes, flushing, poor blood glucose management, and memory issues and confusion are other side effects that have been reported. Fatigue was found to be a real concern for some users. Talk with your doctor to see if they may recommend taking CoQ10 supplements along with Lipitor. Statins, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, work to lower cholesterol byas the name suggestsinhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that controls the rate at which cholesterol is made by the body. But nearly all find that when they switch to a different statin, their symptoms resolve. A change in your diet, medicine, or dosage may be necessary. This can cause a buildup of Lipitor in your body, which raises your risk of side effects. If youre pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about other treatment options that are safer for you. Alternative statins like rosuvastatin (Crestor), pravastatin (Pravachol), pitavastatin (Livalo) or fluvastatin (Lescol) do not have this potential adverse interaction with grapefruit. The general consensus is that drinking more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women could put you at a greater risk of alcoholic liver disease and possible statin side effects. U.S. National Library of Medicine. And for those people who enjoy an occasional (or frequent) alcoholic drink, the side effects and risks may be different. Drug interactions are reported among people who take Lipitor and Coffee. But is it safe to take the medication at night and then drink grapefruit juice in the morning? Forget HDL and LDL. 5 Things You Didn't Know About Diabetes and Heart Disease, Foods That Cause Plaque Buildup in the Arteries. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. You should not take Lipitor if you have liver problems, including liver disease. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Doctor's Assistant: . What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Lipitor treatment. In addition, enzyme inhibition from grapefruit can last 24 hours, so separating grapefruit from medication by a few hours generally isn't sufficient. This may raise your risk of side effects from your birth control pills. Can I drink both red yeast rice stew and simvastatin ? Pregnancy. But as curious as you may be, keep in mind that Hot Pockets totally are not good for you, and on top of that, they aren't that tasty to begin with. This family of chemicals impairs CYP3A4, an enzyme in our body that does a lot of the work breaking down drugs. NTI meds to be closely monitored when co-administered with cannabinoids. So you are probably ok to drink . Other citrus fruits such as Seville oranges (which are often used in marmalades), as well as limes, and pomelos all contain this family of compounds. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Dr. Savard says other side effects can include muscle weakness and memory problems, which many doctors may not fully be aware of. Atorvastatin Brand name: Lipitor. On Foods to Avoid when on Statins Dr. Savard says avoiding grapefruit juiceis important as it can interfere with how the statin metabolizes in the body. Reddy, P., Ellington, D., Zhu, Y., Zdrojewski, I., Parent, S. J., Harmatz, J. S., et al. Grapefruit causes a reaction with the system in your body which breaks down Lipito Who should not take lipitor (atorvastatin)? Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Does my risk of interactions depend on my Lipitor dosage? If you have kidney problems and take Lipitor, your doctor may monitor you more closely for side effects during your treatment. Sometimes, this interaction can cause Lipitor to be less effective. If youve had an allergic reaction. (2016). High dosages are correlated with increased side effects. (2020). Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Statin drugs such as Lipitor may cause harm to a fetus if taken during pregnancy. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. With that being said, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests that you not drink grapefruit juice if youre taking a statin like Lipitor, reasoning that different people can respond differently to the combination, and instead, consult your healthcare provider to make a decision that is right for you (FDA, 2017). Warfarin and aspirin are two more medications that have blood-thinning properties. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. 3 If taken 12 hours apart, that drops to between 44 percent and 66 percent. The effect of the grapefruit can last up to five hours. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. If you do choose to drink, use caution and drink moderately. Using this site or communicating with our law firm affiliates through this site does not form an attorney/client relationship. Can you drink cranberry juice while taking statins? Is it safe to use it with Benadryl though? And in some cases, taking Zetia with statin drugs such as Lipitor is recommended to treat high cholesterol. In other words, alcohol won't immediately interfere with or react with the statins in your body. Can I take weight loss pills? It may start working in a few days but it's customary to wait 6 weeks before rechecking a. But this time the pharmacist's assistant had me talk to the pharmacist about the prescription drug. Although rare, statins may increase liver enzyme production. Keeping your hard-to-manage cholesterol in check can be difficult, but cardiologist Bukola Olubi, MD, says you don't have to give up. This can raise your risk of side effects, including serious side effects such as myopathy (muscle pain), rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), and liver problems. Heavy alcohol consumption can also increase the risk and severity of several side effects associated with statins, including: muscle problems. Safe choice. If youre breastfeeding. If you cut back on the dose the cholesterol will go up. Grapefruitmedication interactions: Forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences? In rare cases, Lipitor can raise your risk of high blood sugar. Higher levels of statin in the blood may result in muscle weakness. But this doesnt mean that vitamin interactions wont be recognized in the future. Therefore, you should not drink alcohol while taking Lipitor. Optimally, your total cholesterol level should be below 200 milligrams per deciliter, according to the Mayo Clinic. Lee, J. W., Morris, J. K., & Wald, N. J. Get answers from Cardiologists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. If you have any liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Lipitor. Before you start taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. Here's the deal they tell you not drink grapefruit juice because it causes your body to absorb more or the med it all depends on the amount of the meds you are taking I don't want to over simplify but the bottom line if your doctor says no then it's probably not a great idea but in my opinion trying isn't going to kill you but u should fell People should avoid mixing alcohol and Lipitor or drinking while on Lipitor. The phase IV clinical study analyzes what interactions people who take Lipitor and Coffee have. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This website is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. For more information about some of these interactions, see the Drug interactions explained section below. (In case youre worried about your breakfast juice of choice, several common sweet orange varieties such as navel and valencia do not contain these compounds, so no worries there.) There arent any known interactions between Lipitor and alcohol. Statins can lower your bodys level of CoQ10. ! This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. Learn more about the link. This can cause Lipitor to build up in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects. Statin drugs including Lipitor, Pravachol, and Crestor, among others, aretaken to lower LDL or low-density lipoproteins, the bad cholesterol. Those taking Crestor had a 54 percent reduction in the rate of heart attack when compared to a placebo. Certain molecules occurring naturally in grapefruit juice may increase the level of statins in a person's blood, which can amplify their effects. If you need to take an antifungal drug during your Lipitor treatment, talk with your doctor first. Health experts advise caution when combining them with coffee, which can also slow blood clotting. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. Put the center of the resistance band under your back foot. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Questions you may want to ask them include: To learn more about Lipitor, see these articles: To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthlines newsletters. Overall, there are no specific health risks associated with drinking while using statins. I felt my intestines churning and woke up with signs of diarrhea on my underwear. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn more about what causes high cholesterol. Examples of NSAIDs include: If you have questions about taking NSAIDs with Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid. Other statins such as rosuvastatin, pravastatin, or pitavastatin do not interact with grapefruit. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pravachol or pravastin is not thought to be altered by grapefruit juice. kidney problems. Lipitor, (atorvastatin) how long before it works? Learn how to stop taking statins safely. The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism means those who drink heavily could be at greater risk, however. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to consume during your Lipitor treatment. All Rights Reserved. Does Lipitor interact with other medications? Triazolam. Your doctor can recommend a different treatment option for you. No, there arent any known interactions between Lipitor and lisinopril (Zestril). (2021). (If you did not get paperwork with Lipitor, ask your pharmacist to print a copy for you.) A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. They can make sure there wont be any interactions between your lab tests and medications. All rights reserved. This is an issue only for lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor, or Vytorin) and typically is only problematic at the highest dosages. What Effect Does My Thyroid Have on My Cholesterol? The portions of The Legal Examiner Affiliate Network maintained and operated by law firms are Legal Advertising. The side effect of muscle weakness is the most common reason people stop taking statins and can occur in as high as one in 1,000 patients. There are currently no reports of Lipitor interacting with vitamins. Those adverse effects may include: If youre put on any of these statins to improve your heart health, discuss with your prescribing healthcare professional whether grapefruit can be included in your diet. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. That means more of the drug enters your bloodstream, and it stays around longer. Grapefruit contains a chemical that can interfere with your bodys ability to break down or metabolize certain statin medications. Red yeast rice and Lipitor work in similar ways to lower cholesterol levels. April 23, 2009 -- Recently, I talked about a study on "Good Morning America" showing that although statins effectively . 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