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NZ Formulary

Atorvastatin

Audio selected: Te Reo Māori. Listen to the whole sheet here, or play individual sections.
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a-tor-va-stat-in

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What does it do?

  • What does it do?
  • Māori
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Atorvastatin is used to lower cholesterol. This reduces your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, and other related problems.

Before you start

  • Before you start
  • Māori
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  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

  • How should you take it?
  • Māori
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Take atorvastatin regularly as directed with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

  • What if you forget a dose?
  • Māori
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If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

  • Can you take other medicines?
  • Māori
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Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

  • What side effects might you notice?
  • Māori
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Side EffectsRecommended action

Symptoms of a serious muscle problem such as: ongoing muscle weakness or pain, dark urine

Tell your doctor immediately

Muscle weakness or pain

Very rarely, this can be serious – check with your doctor

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Other information:
  • Māori
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  • Grapefruit, grapefruit juice or sour/Seville oranges may react with atorvastatin. Discuss with your pharmacist.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

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Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

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About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed