Is It Safe to Mix Statins and Alcohol?

If you want to take Lipitor with birth control pills, talk with your doctor first. They may monitor you more closely for side effects from your birth control pills. Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Lipitor. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that may interact with Lipitor. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section below.

1. Drinking heavily, on the other hand, can be tied to high cholesterol levels and poor outcomes.
2. Due to the increased risk of side effects from Lipitor, doctors typically will not prescribe cyclosporine and Lipitor together.
3. Before you start treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take.
4. St. John’s Wort causes your body to increase the activity of these enzymes.
5. Alcohol-related liver disease can be severe and irreversible, which can lead to an array of problems.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Use of this website and any information are there drops to reverse eye dilation contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Is it safe to take Lipitor with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

And in some cases, taking Zetia with statin drugs such as Lipitor is recommended to treat high cholesterol. They could occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, or even lab tests. Note that the information below does not include all other possible interactions with Lipitor. Taking Lipitor with certain antifungal medications may raise your risk of side effects from Lipitor.

While occasional changes in liver enzymes tests are normal, persistent elevations in liver enzymes can indicate serious liver problems. Although rare, there have been reports of liver injury caused by Lipitor. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients. But because the risk of liver damage is so rare, this is no longer the case. The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism means those who drink heavily could be at greater risk, however.

Zetia is actually approved to be used with statin drugs such as Lipitor to lower cholesterol in certain adults. Lipitor may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. After you take a dose of Lipitor, your body uses a certain enzyme to break down the drug. An increased level of the drug can make side effects from Lipitor more likely to occur.

As of 2017, there were approximately 50 case reports of liver injury in people taking statins that led to death or the need for liver transplantation. This article will discuss how liver function is impacted by statins as well as by alcohol, and who should avoid combining the two. After you take a dose of Lipitor, your body uses certain enzymes to break down the drug. St. John’s Wort causes your body to increase the activity of these enzymes. This can speed up how quickly your system gets rid of Lipitor. This may reduce the level of Lipitor in your body, causing the drug to work less well than usual.

Vitamin C and Adderall interactions

In fact, Viagra and Lipitor are sometimes used in combination with each other. Here are some frequently asked questions about Lipitor and possible interactions. You may be wondering if there are certain foods you should not eat or beverages you should not drink while taking Lipitor. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

If you already experience occasional cold symptoms while taking Lipitor, you might experience worsened cold symptoms while mixing Lipitor with alcohol. If you are taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) or other statins to control your cholesterol levels, it’s best to avoid drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol. Lipitor and alcohol both affect the liver, and people who drink excessively may need to be extra cautious while taking this medication.

Azole antifungals can decrease your body’s ability to break down Lipitor. This can cause Lipitor to build up in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects. In some cases, side effects may be serious, such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems. Before you start taking Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions. But nearly all find that when they switch to a different statin, their symptoms resolve.

Drinking heavily, on the other hand, can be tied to high cholesterol levels and poor outcomes. Heavy alcohol use may also be linked to high blood pressure and obesity, which are risk factors for heart disease. Some studies suggest that alcohol in moderation may be beneficial for the heart.

Does Lipitor interact with supplements?

Because both heavy drinking and (rarely) statin use can interfere with liver function, the two together could put people at a greater risk of liver-related health problems. The top reason why mixing alcohol and Lipitor is unsafe is that this drug combination can cause severe liver damage. The liver is the organ that filters toxins from the blood, and without it, toxic wastes would build up in the blood, leading to a slow death.

Can Lipitor be taken along with ezetimibe (Zetia) to treat my high cholesterol?

These side effects can increase the risk of injury, health problems or death. If you are on Lipitor and plan to drink alcohol, consult with your physician to discuss the particular risks and dangers of your unique situation. It is possible to repair your liver after how to stop binge drinking long-term alcohol use and Lipitor use, but professional treatment may be necessary. Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Lipitor. Before you take Lipitor, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history.

Drinking in moderation is not likely to be a problem while taking Lipitor. The main issue with Lipitor and alcohol consumption arises if you tend to drink heavily every week. Drinking large amounts of alcohol puts you at an increased risk of liver damage, which may be worsened by Lipitor.

Common questions about Lipitor and interactions

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a brand-name statin drug prescribed to treat high cholesterol. It can also help lower certain fats in the blood called triglycerides. Lowering cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications and adverse events. Despite the recommendation to monitor liver tests, and the uncommon risk of severe liver injury, statins may be helpful for some people with liver disease. Since moderate to high alcohol intake can also elevate liver enzymes, the combination of heavy drinking and statins will increase the chances of abnormal test results.

As always, you should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional if you have concerns about how to take prescription statin therapy, such as Lipitor. Lipitor is the most commonly prescribed prescription medication worldwide. It is used to lower cholesterol levels, thus guarding against heart attack and stroke. In general, though, drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol has not been shown to be harmful. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

And Lipitor is approved to decrease the risk of cardiovascular problems in some people with heart disease. Some studies have suggested that taking a CoQ10 supplement can help ease muscle side effects from statin drugs such as Lipitor. However, other substance dependence studies have found no evidence that CoQ10 relieves muscle side effects from statins. Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a drug prescribed for certain types of high cholesterol or heart disease. It can interact with Lipitor if these drugs are used together.