Negative Side Effects of Lipitor

Lipitor is a popular medication for lowering unhealthy cholesterol levels in people who can't reduce them by diet and exercise alone. However, Lipitor can also produce unpleasant side effects in certain patients.

Common Side Effects: Headaches

According to the FDA-required study, 16% of people who took Lipitor reported headaches. The study did not specific which type of headache (cluster, tension, migraine, spinal). As of 2009, no major drug interactions have been reported between Lipitor and anti-headache medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, it is unclear whether these drugs would offset the Lipitor-related headaches.

Common Side Effects: Infection

In the same study, infection was reported in 10% of people taking Lipitor. These infections occurred primarily in areas including sinus, chest and urinary tract. While uncomfortable, none of these infections required hospitalization.

Common Side Effects: Muscle & Joint Soreness

5.6% of subjects reported muscle and/or joint soreness. The soreness tended to be isolated but could be anywhere on the arms, legs and back. It's not clear whether the site of the pain correlated to repetitive stress. For example, if you're training for a marathon and you were to experience this side effect, the pain could arise in your knees and legs, but that might just be a coincidence.
IMPORTANT: Report any muscle or joint pain to your doctor, as it could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle begins to break down much faster than your body can repair.

Dangerous Side Effects In Unhealthy People

Because Lipitor is designed specifically for lowering cholesterol, the FDA study used subjects who were healthy, save for their high cholesterol levels. In real life, however, many people who take Lipitor for high cholesterol have other serious health problems like metabolic syndrome, diabetes and liver disease. Because of these problems, their body functions are significantly altered and may react dangerously to Lipitor.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call a doctor immediately.
- Unexplained weakness
- Fever
- Nausea or ill feeling
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Yellowing of the white of your eyes (jaundice)
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
- Unexplained increase or decrease in urination
- Allergic reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives/rash)

Even if your medical history is normal, these symptoms might mean that Lipitor is reacting to an undiagnosed health problem.

Anecdotal Side Effects: Mental Fogginess, Dementia, Memory Problems

These particular side effects were not reported in significant numbers during the FDA test, but there are message boards online with anecdotes that Lipitor caused mental fogginess, short-term memory problems and hastened Alzheimer's-related dementia.