Lipitor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• her...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2022

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "My experience with this drug was not very good. I was prescribed 10 mg, 1 tablet to be taken per day. I was healthy with normal blood pressure and walked and exercised probably 4 miles per day and was generally fit and healthy. I was unable to take the tablet every day and ended up having to skip days because of the side effects. On day 3, it gave me a dizzy feeling and a sense of anger, like wanting to snap at someone for no reason. Day 4 was a spacey feeling, like floating, and generally feeling like I had no desire to want to do anything. I went out for a walk and got the most terrible muscle cramps in the calves, which came and went. Also, a panic anxiety feeling that lasted about a minute, which felt like I was going to die, and a general feeling of not being well. Then the doctor said to take it every other day, and this was causing me insomnia where I would sleep for an hour then be awake for 4 hours trying to sleep. Also, very low sex drive and a feeling like I was being poisoned. Eventually, I came off it."

• for...
• April 17, 2016

For High Cholesterol "This medicine did a number on my legs. Had numbness, the legs felt like lead, wobbly. I had been a mail carrier and walked 10-11 miles a day, retired but continued to walk 4-5 miles a day besides being very active with DIY projects and part-time job. Took Lipitor earlier this year. It got the numbers down, but I had 3 ER visits in one week and spent the night in the hospital because my legs were acting up and it scared me and my heart did weird things. Lot of stress for me and my family. We have good insurance, but this will still probably be around $2000. I would not recommend Lipitor to anyone-there are other cholesterol meds out there."

• PAS...
• October 5, 2009

For High Cholesterol "I was prescribed 40 mg of Lipitor for heart disease. I was on it for 9 months. It did lower my cholesterol, but had a lot of undesired bad side effects! Right away, I noticed memory problems, forgetfulness, confusion, and was just fog-headed. Then, of course, I experienced the usual muscle pain. I also noticed being moody for no apparent reason. I talked to my cardiologist, and he took me off of it."

• Anonymous
• August 12, 2011

For High Cholesterol "I was placed on Lipitor 10 mg after trying all of the other cholesterol-reducing drugs. I developed, after three days, a very stiff neck and overall muscle soreness. The doctor ordered a CPK test and my levels are off. She discontinued me on this medication. It must not be suitable for everyone. I will continue with my diet and exercise. My cholesterol must be hereditary since I follow Weight Watchers, have lost weight, and I exercise daily."

• Mar...
• December 23, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I took 40 mg Lipitor daily for 2 weeks and experienced complete muscle paralysis in my legs and arms. I had to stop taking Lipitor. The next doctor prescribed Crestor. Crestor worked alright for 1 month, but then I experienced paralysis in my arms and legs again. The paralysis disappeared in several days after stopping the cholesterol-lowering meds. The doctor then prescribed Niaspan (prescription-strength Niacin) which also caused paralysis in my thighs and arms within 2 weeks. The paralysis disappeared in 2 to 3 days after stopping each medication. The doctor decided I need to take 500 mg Niacin with food 4 times per day, which has helped me greatly without any paralysis. I also decreased foods that are high in cholesterol and exercise more often. I am 72 years of age."

• Kat...
• July 27, 2015

For High Cholesterol "On Lipitor, I developed Polyneuropathy in my left foot, this nerve pain sensations. Stopped Lipitor and problem went. Took several weeks before it left my body. Everyone on Statins should be taking Coenzyme Q10 or Ubiquinol to help prevent muscle pains. I prefer quality of life to one of pain. I am an active, healthy 83-year-old with high cholesterol."

• Be ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2018

For High Cholesterol "My cholesterol level was 322, and my doctor prescribed Lipitor. I started to feel very weak. I was in pain constantly, and I felt very tired and sore. I could not even do my daily chores. I thought I had some kind of flu. I continued to take Lipitor for about a year, and the symptoms just got worse. After the second year of taking Lipitor, my constant pain, soreness, and tiredness worsened, and I lost my appetite. The doctor ordered a liver enzyme test. Lipitor was damaging my liver, and I was also experiencing trouble with my kidneys. Though I didn't realize it then, Lipitor was the culprit of my aches and weakness and was not effective in lowering my cholesterol much (only to 308 after taking Lipitor for more than two years.) I am not taking Lipitor anymore, and I don't feel tired and exhausted. My doctor continues to order a liver enzyme test every year. It has never come back normal anymore. Please be careful!"

• DHZ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 11, 2023

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I have been taking Lipitor for several years and developed severe leg and back pain. It was hard just to walk. I stopped taking it for one month, and my leg and back pain went away. Does anyone have an alternative to this destructive drug? I have changed to a low-cholesterol diet, but I know I need to have a less harmful drug to keep my cholesterol down. All comments are appreciated."

• MsA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I had tried about 3 statins and could not take them due to the aches and energy loss. I then was given Lipitor. I took it for 3 months with no problem, then I started having memory loss. I stopped the drug and that has now been about 2 years. The loss is better but still comes and goes. Being a pharmacist, I am keenly aware of side effects, and that is major!"

• Eri...
• March 17, 2017

For High Cholesterol "When I was originally put on this statin, it was on a low dose of 10 mg a day to reduce cholesterol. I had, or recall, very few side effects. I combined the drug with exercise and diet. My cholesterol was lowered and remained low. Doctors have kept me on the drug, and now at the age of 71, I experience headaches, a bloated rumbling and very uncomfortable digestive system, hives, muscle aches, and other adverse effects that interfere with my diet and exercise. Doctors seem to be reluctant to lower doses, but these adverse effects are now materially affecting my quality of life."

• sfz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I'm 58, always kept in shape, and ate well, but LDL was still elevated. I'm not sure if it's coincidental, but I have more energy, better in bed, and have not had an atrial fibrillation episode since I've been on 10mg daily. I know it sounds like a commercial, but that has been my experience. My main or larger arteries are clear of plaque, but I may have had blocking of the smaller ones, and the Lipitor may have helped clear them. Or I'm just lucky."

• Der...
• November 14, 2015

For High Cholesterol "I have been using Lipitor for only one week but am feeling fatigue and muscle pains. My cholesterol dropped from 130 to 100, but there were too many side effects. I decided to stop and now I am feeling okay."

• Cin...
• March 15, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I had extremely high hopes for this cholesterol buster and had the best attitude and hopes for this medication, but it definitely did not work out. My cholesterol level was 225, and my left carotid artery, via a Doppler, was 50-70 percent narrowed. Changed my diet immediately, started exercising, put plans in play to stop smoking, and in thinking with Lipitor, I'd give myself the best possible chance to reverse the plaque. Doctor prescribed 10mg, was only able to tolerate it a week. The first 4 days, no side effects, excited as heck, the 5th day off and on I started experiencing a twilight zone brain fog that would last 10-15 minutes. Felt like I couldn't clench a thought, felt foggy, happened 2x the 5th day, 4x the 6th day, no more..."

• Sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I started taking generic Lipitor in February/March 2017. My lab work came back and total cholesterol was 311. At first, I started taking 20mg a day. By the 9th day, I was an emotional mess. Anxiety, anger, confusion, leg pain, stomach pain, and heartburn. I decided to take the 20mg every other day. All the side effects disappeared. Works great. I heard back from my doctor who says to continue the every other day dosage because it's working and it's tolerable for me."

• not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2022

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "My experience with this drug for primary prevention was terrible fatigue, followed by the worst panic attack and anxiety ever, sometimes lasting for less than a minute and sometimes longer, usually worse in the morning, until the doctor said do not take it anymore."

• Anonymous
• November 19, 2009

For High Cholesterol "43-year-old male been on 20mg Lipitor for 3 months, a lot of side effects for the first month mainly muscle spasms and uneasy stomach. Cholesterol went from 240 to 120, cut dose in half, and no more side effects."

• Sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Atorvastatin did lower my cholesterol quite a bit, but within the first couple of weeks I developed muscle pain in the back of one knee. After another week, I developed muscle pain in the calf of the other leg. My doctor doesn't think this was caused by Atorvastatin. He believes it is arthritis. He ordered an x-ray of the knee and blood test for liver function. Waiting for results. If the pain is from arthritis, I will continue taking the medicine. If Atorvastatin is affecting muscles or liver, I may discontinue or ask to switch to another statin."

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2019

For High Cholesterol "I’ve been on Pravastatins 20 mg for 5 years. Cholesterol was 225. It never went down. I do enjoy my cocktails, wine in the evening, nothing changed. My liver enzymes for 18 years always stayed at 20-21 (range is 4-43). In August 2018, I went in for my quarterly bloodwork, there was no change. Doctor put me on Lipitor 20 mg with the next bloodwork to be done in January. Well, I also started the Keto diet in January, a high-fat, protein diet, low carbs, low sugar. Surprise! My cholesterol went from 226 to 165! Glucose was down and very good! However, it compromised my liver, my enzymes skyrocketed to 99 and 110 (again, range 4-43). He immediately took me off Lipitor. Now, he doesn’t want me to drink any alcohol for 2 months. The test will be in March. So, what’s the culprit? Diet or Lipitor? He said to continue with the diet, just cut the fat down."

• Ski...
• April 28, 2016

For High Cholesterol "I am 65 and active, to include hiking, walking in the gym, yard work, etc. Been on 10 mg of Lipitor or generic for 20 years. Within the past 2 years, I have experienced increased lower leg discomfort and within the past year, what appears to be lower leg muscle loss, chronic plantar fascia, leg muscle tingling, and a feeling of weakness in my lower legs. My primary care doc, who is Lipitor intolerant, attributed it all to age, cervical stenosis, etc. Have quit Lipitor and Prilosec (been on this for 10 years) and will reassess with my doctor (who's an internal medicine doctor) when I can get in to see him again in 3 weeks. Some remediation of mental fogginess which has plagued me recently, but to date no relief on leg issues."

• Tai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I did not have a clue that Lipitor could give me so many severe side effects! Lower back, back of my legs, headaches, running nose, memory loss. I go blank for a few seconds, and lastly, speech impediment! I have a medical appointment with my primary doctor next week and I will discuss with him..."

• bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2017

For High Cholesterol "About 2 weeks ago, my doctor put me on Lipitor for my cholesterol. I've been having all kinds of side effects from it, but I didn't realize it until today. I've been beside myself with itching. I keep getting these stinging sensations, like I'm being bitten by fire ants. I'm prone to insomnia (very severe), and it made it so much worse, despite the fact that I have been feeling like I was coming down with something serious (constantly exhausted). I've even developed blisters in my nose, and I have red spots, it's insane. No joke, I seriously have about 80% of the listed side effects, even the unreported and rare. I hope no one ever has to deal with this craziness."

• pj1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2015

For High Cholesterol "In the past year, I have experienced four occasions of hyperlipidemia, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. All four times, I woke up in ICU and had a lengthy stay in the hospital. I am still taking atorvastatin, have muscle aches and pains, weakness, joint pain, stiffness, and restless legs, with no control of movement. I am miserable most of the time. Recently, my doctor stopped the Lipitor for the next six weeks to see what changes may happen."

• cho...
• December 30, 2016

For High Cholesterol "Started with 10mg daily. After 3 months, my cholesterol level was just borderline, so the dosage was increased to 40mg daily. This dose gave me muscle tissue pain in my right knee, so I self-discontinued."

• Joh...
• September 22, 2020

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "My cholesterol has always been in the normal range, about 145, although my LDL/HDL ratio, 90/55, is not optimal. I eat healthy, 10% body fat, work out over 300 days a year. But a heart scan at 60 gave me a shock, showed a lot of plaque in my LAD, not good. Started Lipitor 10 mg daily, cholesterol dropped into the 90s, with LDL of 50. Went to 10 mg/5 mg alternating days, last lipid panel showed cholesterol at 114, LDL 72. I have never had any negative side effects. Two very athletic friends with high cholesterol used statins but quit because of muscle pain. My third athletic friend, with cholesterol of 300, uses a statin, cholesterol into normal range with no side effects. So if you have high cholesterol, don't be afraid to give a statin a try, start low and titrate up, if the side effects are too bad, quit, but you may be one of the lucky ones like me and my third friend, for whom a statin is very effective and does not have side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2009

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I used Zocor for the first statin following angioplasty in December 2009. I must state that I have a high degree of sensitivity to medications and a high degree of allergies. With Zocor, I experienced abdominal cramps increasing daily, muscle pain, and off and on nausea. The cramps were a concern because I have experienced anemia in the past. My doctor, whom I trust with my life, suggested that I not take Zocor. After several months, I had blood work, my LDH still higher than the doctor wanted, so he prescribed Lipitor. I had the same bad effects but on a higher level. Fortunately, my doctor trusts my reports. There is one 'weird' change that I have not shared with my doctor, but I am sharing with all of you. In several days, and increasingly, I am losing hair. Help me!"