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Writer's pictureLauren Fang

Med of the Week: Atorvastatin


Atorvastatin feature with a picture of white pills

Atorvastatin is the #1 most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S. Here are some things you may be surprised to learn about Atorvastatin:


Generic Name: Atorvastatin Calcium

Brand Name(s): Lipitor, Atorvaliq

Pronunciation: a TOR va sta tin


About this drug:

  • Atorvastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase HDL cholesterol.

  • It also decreases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart issues in patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes type 2 or other risk factors.


Dentistry-related tidbits:

  • Atorvastatin may cause thrombocytopenia.

  • Atorvastatin can have serious drug interactions with commonly prescribed NSAIDs, antibiotics, benzodiazepines, narcotics, and more, so make sure to check for potential interactions before prescribing using a tool like Rx Check.

  • Side effects include headache, muscle weakness, pharyngolaryngeal pain, stuffy nose, and sore throat.

  • Atorvastatin can also have rare, but serious adverse effects that dentists should be aware of, such as renal and liver problems, rhabdomyolysis, and hyperglycemia.


Fun facts:

  • Atorvastatin was the #1 prescribed drug in the U.S. in 2020, with over 114.5 million prescriptions written.

  • A moderate-intensity (​​lowers LDL by 30% to 49%) Atorvastatin dose is considered to be 10-20 mg daily. A high-intensity (lowers LDL by 50% or more) is considered to be 40-80 mg daily.

  • In February 2023, the FDA approved CMP Pharma’s Atorvaliq, which is the first oral suspension formulation of Atorvastatin.


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