Lipitor Should be Taken in Accordance with the Prescription

Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water. The doses may be taken with or without food. Doses are usually taken once daily, and it is recommended that doses be taken at regular timings.

• Skipping of doses is not advisable, as it upsets the functionality of Lipitor, thus undermining its performance.
• Doctors may need to monitor a person’s liver functions for Lipitor usage, and this would done through blood tests that would be carried out every six months. However, before determining whether this monitoring is necessary, blood tests will be carried out before Lipitor treatment begins.
• Consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice is also something that has to be given due consideration. This is because of the fact that it interacts with the functions of Lipitor. The amount of grapefruit and grapefruit juice that one consumes should be discussed with the doctor. Also, during Lipitor usage, the amount of grapefruit as well as grapefruit juice consumed should be maintained at a particular level in order to prevent Lipitor dosage and effectiveness being thrown out of balance.
• Those who take Lipitor should consume low fat food and avoid high-cholestrol foods in order to achieve maximum effects of Lipitor usage.
• It is suggested that one should not quit Lipitor usage without first consulting a doctor. This is because one could be so easily discouraged from using Lipitor for cholesterol reduction because of the time it might take for Lipitor to show its effects. Indeed, it might be weeks before Lipitor begins to show signs of reducing cholesterol.

Storage and Dosage

• For Lipitor to remain fresh and act optimally, it should be kept away from moisture and heat and maintained at room temperature.
• If one happens to miss out on a dose, do not double dose. If one has missed out on a dose by a small margin, it is advisable to take it as soon as possible. However, if it is way passed the dosage timing, then it is advised to simply take the next dose as scheduled.
• In case of consuming an extra dose, there is reason to worry. One should immediately seek medical attention. However, the overdose symptoms of Lipitor overdose are not yet known.

Possible side effects of Lipitor usage include the following:

1. an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
2. muscle aches, pain, or weakness;
3. "flu-like" symptoms;
4. decreased urine or rust-colored urine;
5. blurred vision; or
6. yellowing of your skin or eyes.

If one should experience any of the above, s/he should seek immediate medical attention.

Other side effects may take place as well, in which case, one can continue to take Lipitor. However, it is advised that one should inform his or her doctor about them.

Milder Symptoms Include:

1. headache;
2. upset stomach or flatulence; or
3. a rash.
   In addition to these side-effects mentioned here, there are others that can occur. It also must be noted that if any of these side effects are bothersome, it is better to inform the doctor.