Zetia is approved to treat certain forms of high cholesterol in children ages 10 years and older when used with a low-cholesterol diet. Also, ask your doctor if one of them may be right for you. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Simvastatin User Misses His Grapefruit | The People's Pharmacy Its a good idea to keep VLDL levels low, which may prevent cardiovascular diseases. A "nocebo" effect means people who have negative expectations about a medicine report experiencing the potential side effect at higher rates than the drug should cause. Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems? 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Last updated on Jan 19, 2022. They can determine if they may be safe to take during your Lipitor treatment. Certain supplements and medications. Having certain conditions such as hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These lists do not include all possible side effects. If youre currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about nursing considerations and your treatment plan. of the grapefruit seed extracts tested. Lipitor and Zocor have some similarities and differences. If you take other medications and are interested in taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor to make sure the drugs are safe to take together. Although liver problems are rare, your health care team may order a liver enzyme test before or shortly after you begin to take a statin. But drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking Lipitor can raise your risk of liver damage. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. St. Johns wort can cause your body to break down Lipitor too quickly, which can make Lipitor less effective. You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions. They can also provide resources to help you make those changes. Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health. Red yeast rice and Lipitor work in similar ways to lower cholesterol levels. How much grapefruit is okay when taking statins like Lipitor? If you are able to become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Lipitor. Other statins, like rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and pitavastatin, do not have this interaction. The triglyceride level test is a blood test that helps measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. This warning has led to a lot of questions from people taking this type of medication. Last medically reviewed on September 23, 2022. Allergic reaction. Interactions can happen up to 3 days after eating or drinking grapefruit. Higher concentrations of atorvastatin could increase the likelihood
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Lipitor contains the active ingredient atorvastatin, while Livalo contains pitavastatin. Learn the, Learn when and how telehealth interventions such as text messaging and web-based content can help improve medication adherence, clinical outcomes, and, High cholesterol levels can stem from your diet, especially if you eat foods high in saturated fats, like red meat and butter. information submitted for this request. Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Lipitor. This causes the liver to remove cholesterol from the blood. But because the drug could cause serious side effects in a child who is breastfed, you should not take Lipitor while breastfeeding. South-Paul JE, et al., eds. But tiredness isnt a direct side effect of the drug. 01 May, 2019. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-cholesterol. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. High dosages are correlated with increased side effects. Or your doctor may lower your Lipitor dose. Its not known if Lipitor passes into breast milk. What are the risks of mixing grapefruit and statins? This class of medications includes: There are two types of statin drugs available: those marketed as single-ingredient products, like those listed above, and those that are combined with other medications to help further reduce cholesterol levels. Grapefruitmedication interactions: Forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences? Liver Problems. Underactive thyroid. Its not safe to take Lipitor while breastfeeding. Lipitor is the brand name for atorvastatin, a medication belonging to a group of . Herbal supplements, such as the extracts listed, are not FDA
Which Medications Interact With Grapefruit Juice? If you have an underactive thyroid, talk with your doctor before taking Lipitor. Its possible for cannabis to either increase or decrease the amount of Lipitor in your blood. 5th ed. Citrus
Media attention and the influence on the reporting odds ratio in disproportionality analysis: An example of patient reporting of statins. Many of these citrus extracts listed have at least some evidence
In addition, Lipitor can be used to reduce other heart-related risks in adults with high cholesterol. Reddy, P., Ellington, D., Zhu, Y., Zdrojewski, I., Parent, S. J., Harmatz, J. S., et al. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on: Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Lipitor. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with atorvastatin. Talk to Your Doctor If grapefruit is part of your daily routine, talk to your doctor about how this might affect your ability to take Crestor. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. To learn more, see Pregnancy and breastfeeding under the What should be considered before taking Lipitor? section below. Only certain statin medications interact negatively with grapefruit. Keep reading to learn about Lipitors possible interactions, including what you shouldnt eat or drink while taking Lipitor. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol. There is limited evidence to prove a cause-effect relationship and several studies have found that statins have no effect on memory. Lipitor may interact with a blood pressure drug called diltiazem (Cartia XT). In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions. If youre breastfeeding. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Nutritional Supplements at Mayo Clinic Store. Some interactions occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Grapefruit-medication interactions: forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences?. This is still being studied. Therefore, when atorvastatin is ingested at the same time as grapefruit juice, the body is unable to properly metabolize the medication, causing an increase in the blood serum concentration of atorvastatin by about 80 percent, regardless of when you drink the juice that day. If I take a diazapm at 10pm, can I take a hydrocodone at 8 am along with a methacarbomal? If youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your treatment options. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a. While allergic reaction wasnt reported in clinical studies of Lipitor, it can still happen. Rhabdomyolysis can cause extreme muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. Its likely safe for you to take these medications together. Talk with your doctor to see if they may recommend taking CoQ10 supplements along with Lipitor. Only a few cases of rhabdomyolysis occur per million people taking statins. Don't stop taking your statin medicine before talking to your health care professional. Reviewed by Mary D. Daley, MD, MSc. But if you need to have lab tests, make sure the healthcare professional giving you the test knows about all medications you currently take. Because Lipitor treats high cholesterol, it may actually help reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). Please keep in mind that there are several more drugs that mess with cytochrome P450, and if you have any questions about potential interactions, please discuss them with your physician. These side effects reverse once you stop taking the medicines. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Lipitor (atorvastatin) interacts with grapefruit and related extracts. Serious side effects of Lipitor that have been reported include: Learn more about some of the side effects Lipitor may cause. What Effect Does My Thyroid Have on My Cholesterol? If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Adalat CC (nifedipine), a high-blood-pressure medication, Buspar (buspirone), an anti-anxiety medication, Cordarone (amiodarone), a heart arrhythmia drug, Entocord EC (budesonide), a corticosteroid, Neoral (cyclosporine), an organ-transplant anti-rejection drug, Procardia (nifedipine), a high-blood-pressure medication, Pacerone (amiodarone), a heart arrhythmia drug, Sandimmune (cyclosporine), an organ-transplant anti-rejection drug. Statins: How to Safely Stop Taking These Cholesterol Drugs And for more information about Lipitor, including details about its uses, see this article. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Grapefruit: Beware of dangerous medication interactions - Mayo Clinic The half life of Lipitor is 14 hours and its active metabolites up to 20 to 30 hours therefore Lipitor can be taken at anytime. Accessed March 7, 2023. CYP3A4 helps break down the medication in the small intestine, thereby reducing the amount that ever makes it into your blood. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. What should I know about Lipitor vs. Zocor? This content does not have an Arabic version. seed extract, also known as grapefruit
2016;129(1):26-9. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.07.036, Bushra R, Aslam N, Khan AY. If youre pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about other treatment options that are safer for you. (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.) Your doctor may prescribe Lipitor to be taken on its own or with other drugs, depending on the condition youre taking it to treat. While that may sound oddly specific, there is a good reason why you want to steer clear of this particular fruit. 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. If youd like to have caffeine while youre taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor. There arent any known interactions between the two drugs. Lipitor is available as the generic drug atorvastatin. Official answer by Drugs.com It takes about 77 hours (3 days) for atorvastatin to be out of your system. If youre currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. Lipitor is a prescription medication thats used along with a balanced diet to: Lipitor belongs to a group of medications called statins. Past research has warned that eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice and taking statins for high cholesterol may increase your risk for complications such as rhabdomyolysis, the breakdown of muscle tissue that may lead to kidney damage, joint pain, and muscle pain. This helps prevent heart problems, such as coronary heart disease, chest pain, stroke, and heart attack. This is a general list of medications that you should be aware of: Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum hydroxide may decrease the . Adverse effects of statins include muscle and liver damage. According to a new study, an increased heart rate can cause a stroke in people with highly blocked carotid arteries, a condition affecting roughly 3%. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment? Tips Response/effectiveness Interactions 1. In rare cases, Lipitor can raise your risk of high blood sugar. Do I need to eat food when taking atorvastatin? These could be symptoms of more serious conditions, including: Staying well hydrated and increasing exercise intensity and frequency at a slow and steady pace can help minimize joint and muscle pain. Statin-induced muscle syndromes. How long does atorvastatin stay in the system after stopping the drug? Be sure to follow your doctors instructions. How can I learn more about managing my cholesterol and keeping my heart healthy? Your doctor can recommend a birth control option that wont interact with Lipitor. Health care professionals often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which More specifically, grapefruit juice inhibits the hepatic (liver) enzyme system P450, which breaks down drugs. But symptoms to watch for include: A few steps you can take to help prevent rhabdomyolysis include: If you experience any of the symptoms above, seek medical care right away. During this process, your body uses certain enzymes to break down the drugs. This is because Lipitor can increase birth control hormone levels in your blood. Some serious side effects may occur with Lipitor, but theyre not common. But statins also prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes. Talk with your doctor if youd like to know about taking atorvastatin. Its been used to treat certain conditions for more than 20 years and has been studied in adults and children. Taking Lipitor or Zocor With Grapefruit Juice. No, there arent any known interactions between Lipitor and the nutrient CoQ10. Its not known if Lipitor passes into breast milk or what effects the drug may have on a breastfed child. In studies, mild muscle and joint pain were common side effects. However, if you're on certain medications, such as certain heart medications called statins, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking these medications. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120951. Lipitor may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. One of the grapefruit seed extract studies showed a
What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Lipitor treatment. You can ask your doctor if one of these drugs may be right for you. Statin drugs such as Lipitor can cause liver problems. Things to consider An interaction can occur even if you eat or drink a small amount of grapefruit. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Both Lipitor and Zetia are approved to treat high cholesterol. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. If you have high cholesterol or certain risk factors for heart disease or stroke, your doctor might prescribe Lipitor (atorvastatin) for you. Your doctor may recommend avoiding red yeast rice when youre taking Lipitor. To see a side-by-side comparison of these medications, check out this article. The compounds, called furanocoumarins, block an enzyme in the intestine that normally breaks down statins (and many other drugs). Lipitor Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings Will I have to take cholesterol medication for the rest of my life? Yael Cooperman, MD, written by 2010; doi:10.1002/pds.1865. If you think you're experiencing side effects from taking statins, don't just stop taking the pills. Grapefruit juice inhibits the breakdown of certain medications. As these tissues break down, they are released into your body, and your kidneys filter them. Cannabinoid (precipitant) medication affecting the metabolism of another (object) medication. It's OK to have grapefruit products after, but not before, a statin. While you won't need to cut grapefruit entirely from your diet, ask your health care expert about how much grapefruit you can have. Luckily for grapefruit fans, there are cases in which a moderate amount should be safe. While taking Lipitor, you should not eat large amounts of grapefruit or drink more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice per day. (2017, July 18). Some people may experience weight loss while taking Lipitor if they make certain changes to their diet. Learn more about what causes high cholesterol. (Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar.). Examples of azole antifungal medications include: Taking Lipitor with certain antifungal medications may raise your risk of side effects from Lipitor. By Michael Bihari, MD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Should I let you know if I start taking other medications or supplements during my Lipitor treatment? You should not take Lipitor if you have liver problems, including liver disease. Before you start treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Grapefruit-medication interactions: forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences? 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Amiodarone (Pacerone), a medicine for irregular heart rhythms. Psychological factors affecting other medical conditions: Management. But high LDL cholesterol levels in. Official answer by Drugs.com You should not drink grapefruit juice with simvastatin because it can significantly increase blood levels of simvastatin and increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is the excessive breakdown of muscle tissue. For example, in rare cases, Lipitor may cause severe muscle pain. To be on the safe side, many researchers suggest you avoid consuming grapefruit entirely when taking statins such as Lipitor. Triglycerides are a type of fat. the interaction was found to be benzethonium chloride that was contained in each
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. High cholesterol can be hereditary, but it can also be caused by other factors. 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.