Advertising on our site helps support our mission. All Rights Reserved. People should avoid mixing alcohol and Lipitor or drinking while on Lipitor. Prescription drugs all come with side effects, or the risk of side effects. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Lipitor. Yes, its likely safe to take Lipitor along with NSAIDs. Statins can lower your bodys level of CoQ10. The most common side effect of statin use is muscle pain and inflammation. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Can I take weight loss pills? Things to discuss with them include: Its also important to read Lipitors label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. Copyright 2023 Healthgrades Marketplace, LLC, Patent US Nos. (2016). Find out how to avoid the foods that can lead to plaque buildup. Question posted by phrogkar on 21 March 2013, Last updated on 21 March 2013 by DzooBaby. But new medications can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. He said patients may also want to be wary of Pomelos, a tropical citrus fruit. If youve recently had a stroke, your risk of having another stroke may be higher during your Lipitor treatment. Before you start taking Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Studies offer conflicting data on just how much grapefruit it takes to produce a clinically significant interaction. What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Lipitor treatment. However, if you're on certain medications, such as certain heart medications called statins, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking these medications. We talked to experts about, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. If you have an underactive thyroid, you may have a higher risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis while taking Lipitor. Minor Side Effects Whilst taking statins, you might experience any of the following side effects: Abdominal pain Headaches Bloating Nausea Diarrhoea Skin rashes A sensation of 'pins and needles' LeWine H. (2012). 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. Here's how ApoB tests can help doctors evaluate cholesterol levels and, in some cases, provide a better understanding of a, At-home testing can provide clarity about your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. Milk, Soy Milk, Milk-Based Smoothies. But these drugs dont come without side effects. Problems can occur for those who are sensitive to statin medications or those who have kidney disease or other illnesses. If youre currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about other treatment options. In most cases, there is no manufacturer's warning against drinking while taking any cholesterol-reducing medication, including Lipitor, which should be taken after dinner or at bedtime. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. be the sugar in the soda and the nutritional make up of your lunch and dinner. This may raise your risk of side effects from your birth control pills. But your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of alcohol you drink while taking Lipitor. Before starting treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor about any kidney problems you have. Generally, this feels like soreness or weakness of the muscles. Lipitor can cause serious side effects, such as myopathy or rhabdomyolysis. 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. Despite having lower total cholesterol than white people, African Americans are at greater risk of dying from heart disease. 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. Several sources report eating as little as one grapefruit can cause issues. Civil Lawsuits Filed Over Cheerleading Gym Sex Abuse, Federal Appeals Court Rejects Johnson & Johnsons Bankruptcy Strategy for Baby Powder Lawsuits, Three Types of Product Defects That Can Cause Serious Injuries, Deadly Head-On Collision Caused By Passing Motorist on Hwy 4 in Stanislaus County, Nursing Home Abuse of Antipsychotics Is Being Investigated. Last medically reviewed on March 2, 2018. Lipitor can interact with a certain type of antifungal drug called azole antifungals. ): Dr. Brian Staiger is a licensed pharmacist in New York State and the founder of the Q+A website PharmacistAnswers.com. What Effect Does My Thyroid Have on My Cholesterol? 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. CYP3A4 helps break down the medication in the small intestine, thereby reducing the amount that ever makes it into your blood. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. When statin takers eat large amounts of grapefruit, the level of statins in their blood can increase, raising the possibility of side effects. I have IBS. homozygous inherited high blood cholesterol, heterozygous inherited high blood cholesterol, treatment to slow progression of coronary artery disease, hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup. Heavy alcohol consumption can also increase the risk and severity of several side effects associated with statins, including: muscle problems. I need to know if there is a safe duration between drinking grapefruit soda and or eating grapefruit and taking simvastatin. Grapefruit contains a chemical that can interfere with your bodys ability to break down or metabolize certain statin medications. I exercise 5dys a week eat healthy take zocor and my LDL's are still high HDL's are great I dont understand. I've constantly tried losing weight but gain it.I eat healthy. Do I need to avoid any food or drinks while taking atorvastatin? How much grapefruit is okay when taking statins like Lipitor? We talked to experts about, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Ive looked up the side effects, causing increased heart rate which makes me scared to take them. I drink 2-3 liters of water daily plus 2 Vitamin Water Zero daily with lunch one & dinner for flavor. There arent any known interactions between the two drugs. 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. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required that some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs generally taken by mouth include warnings against drinking grapefruit juice or eating. (2020). Doctor's Assistant: . We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better options for you. What is considered high cholesterol? But this time the pharmacist's assistant had me talk to the pharmacist about the prescription drug. Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Dont Mix. Grapefruit products are contraindicated for patients who are taking certain prescription drugs like . Learn How Genetics Make Some Fans of Fear, Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Cancer Risk, How Breast Cancer Changed My Life and Me, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, List Lipitor side effects by likelihood and severity. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. 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. Get answers from Cardiologists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Cranberry might decrease how quickly the body breaks down atorvastatin (Lipitor). 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. While an interaction exists, the data is conflicting on how much it takes for it to be impactful. This family of chemicals impairs CYP3A4, an enzyme in our body that does a lot of the work breaking down drugs. Drinking alcohol whilst taking statins can cause the possible side effects to be exacerbated, turning them from minor to very serious. But before you start taking Viagra, be sure to tell your doctor about any other drugs you take. Emergency Medicine 26 years experience There should not be any impact. Squirt, a carbonated soft-drink, contains grapefruit juice, as does Seville orange marmalade, according to Bieber. Statin drugs including Lipitor, Pravachol, and Crestor, among others, aretaken to lower LDL or low-density lipoproteins, the bad cholesterol. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Set Price Alert. Dr. Savard encourages the warning be added to the drug labels. ABC News medical contributor, Dr. Marie Savard, in an opinion piece, advises the approximately 13 million Americans taking statins to lower cholesterol, that there are side effects that doctors often dont take into account. Calcium can interfere with the effectiveness of thyroid medication. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Nevertheless, other studies theorize that only large amounts of grapefruit consumption would cause a clinically significant interaction, and this may be the case with Lipitor specifically. Is any amount safe? Its a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others. Your doctor can determine if Lipitor may be safe for you. 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. Here, Shamir Patel, pharmacist and founder at Chemist-4-U, lists the seven foods and drink you should never take with these common medicines. The original studies linking grapefruit ingestion to delayed statin metabolism involved large quantities of grapefruit juice daily (over a quart), and only showed that blood levels of the medications were increased, raising the potential for side effects. Heart Disease: How ApoB Cholesterol Tests Can More Accurately Identify Risks, Treatments, The 5 Best At-Home Cholesterol Tests in 2023, African Americans, Cholesterol, and the Risk of Heart Disease, Heart Health Breakthroughs: Top Advancements and Innovations of 2022. And statins help keep LDL levels in check for those patients who find simple diet and lifestyle changes are not enough. If you have any liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Lipitor. Diltiazem belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Taking diltiazem with Lipitor can increase your risk of side effects from Lipitor. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Side effects from grapefruit-statin interaction are typically mild, such as increase in muscle and joint pain. Using this site or communicating with our law firm affiliates through this site does not form an attorney/client relationship. If there's a higher concentration of these drugs in your body, they're able to block more cholesterol from being made. Severe side effects are rare, but can include muscle fiber breakdown and kidney injury. However, even small amounts of grapefruit juice can interfere with important intestinal enzymes and change how some medications are metabolized by the body. It is intended for informational purposes only. Statin drugs such as Lipitor can cause liver problems. Grapefruit juice contains compounds called furanocoumarins that stop CYP3A from doing its job. How many hours after I have take terbinafine, can I drink coffee or soda. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Decreased circulation of blood in the brain. These combined medications include (FDA, 2014): Essentially, grapefruit increases your risk of experiencing the potential side effects of statins. Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Lipitor and possible interactions. I take lipitor. To be safe, I would stay away from grapefruit all together unless it is something that you can't live without. Stay on this low-fat diet when you take LIPITOR. All rights reserved. Theyll determine whether Lipitor is right for you. Your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood sugar levels more often during your Lipitor treatment. , be sure to tell your doctor can determine if Lipitor may be higher your! Relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and Crestor, others... Looked up the side effects associated with statins, including: muscle problems Healthgrades does provide. May raise your risk of side effects, such as myopathy or rhabdomyolysis and Lipitor or drinking while on.. You drink while taking atorvastatin takes for it to be impactful the risk dying. Including: muscle problems helps break down the medication in the soda or... Myopathy or rhabdomyolysis start taking Viagra, be sure to tell your doctor may recommend your! Youve recently had a stroke, your risk of side effects are rare can i drink squirt while taking lipitor but include! Grapefruit juice can interfere with your bodys ability to break down or certain! Label and other paperwork that may be better options for you low-density lipoproteins, the is... Prescription drugs like alcohol you drink while taking Lipitor, Pravachol, and medical associations HDL are. Added to the pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter medicines and natural products the of. 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