What are the most common side effects of atorvastatin 80 mg?

Common side effects

• Feeling sick (nausea) or indigestion. Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. ...

• Headaches. Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. ...

• Nosebleeds. ...

• Sore throat. ...

• Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, blocked nose or sneezing. ...

• Constipation or farting (flatulence) ...

• Diarrhea.

What is the most serious side effect of atorvastatin?

Very rarely, statins can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-my-OL-ih-sis). Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. The risk of very serious side effects is extremely low, and calculated in a few cases per million people taking statins.

Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low fat diet and lifestyle changes on their own have failed. If you are at an increased risk of heart disease, Atorvastatin can also be used to reduce such risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal.

What should I avoid when taking atorvastatin?

While taking atorvastatin (Lipitor), avoid high-fat and high-cholesterol foods as part of your overall treatment. You should avoid large quantities of grapefruit or grapefruit juice, which can increase the risk of serious side effects. Also, avoid alcohol use, as this may cause serious liver problems.