Saturday, December 30, 2006
Where can I get more information about Lipitor?
Your pharmacist has additional information about Lipitor written for health professionals that you may read.
What other drugs will affect Lipitor?
• Do not take Lipitor without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
· gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
· niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
· erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
· cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
· hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants); or
· an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
• You may not be able to take Lipitor, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lipitor. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
· gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
· niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
· erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
· cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
· hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants); or
· an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
• You may not be able to take Lipitor, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lipitor. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
What are the possible side effects of Lipitor?
• Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with the use of Lipitor and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Lipitor and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
· blurred vision.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Lipitor and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· upset stomach or flatulence; or
· a rash.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Lipitor and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
· blurred vision.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Lipitor and talk to your doctor if you experience
· headache;
· upset stomach or flatulence; or
· a rash.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What should I avoid while taking Lipitor?
• Alcohol and Lipitor can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined.
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
