- Body system
- Cardiovascular
- Brand names
- Lipitor, Atorvaliq
What is Atorvastatin used for?
- High LDL cholesterol
- Prevention of heart attack and stroke
How Atorvastatin works
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol; LDL falls.
Common side effects
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Mild rise in liver enzymes
Report right away
- Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with dark urine (rhabdomyolysis)
- Yellow skin or eyes
Nursing considerations for Atorvastatin
- Check the lipid panel and baseline liver enzymes; check CK if muscle symptoms develop.
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and active liver disease.
Patient teaching
- Atorvastatin can be taken at any time of day (some other statins, such as simvastatin, are taken in the evening).
- Limit large amounts of grapefruit juice.
- Combine with diet and exercise.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Atorvastatin belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
-
A patient taking a statin reports muscle pain and dark brown urine. What is the priority?
Show answer
Answer B: Hold the statin and notify the provider: possible rhabdomyolysis Muscle pain with dark urine suggests rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney failure. CK and kidney function must be checked.
-
Which statin is traditionally taken in the evening?
Show answer
Answer D: Simvastatin Short half-life statins such as simvastatin and lovastatin work best in the evening, when cholesterol synthesis peaks.
-
Which lab test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of statin therapy?
Show answer
Answer A: Lipid panel The lipid panel, especially LDL cholesterol, shows whether the statin is working.
Frequently asked questions
What is Atorvastatin used for?
High LDL cholesterol; Prevention of heart attack and stroke.
What drug class is Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin belongs to the class statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol; LDL falls.
What are the nursing considerations for Atorvastatin?
Check the lipid panel and baseline liver enzymes; check CK if muscle symptoms develop. Contraindicated in pregnancy and active liver disease.
What should patients report while taking Atorvastatin?
unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially with dark urine (rhabdomyolysis); yellow skin or eyes.