Atorvastatin and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• September 21, 2009

Lipitor (atorvastatin) for High Cholesterol "I was taking the combination drug Caduet, of which Lipitor was one of the two drugs. Steadily over a year, my doctor increased the medication from 20mg to 40mg, and then about three months ago, he increased it to 80mg. Within a month, I was experiencing tiredness, and eventually muscle weakness, coupled with elevated CK readings. On doing some research on the drug, I found that the symptoms I had were indeed a major drug reaction. Although Lipitor helped in the reduction of my cholesterol levels, the side effects were debilitating. Within a week of having the medication changed to a non-statin, I was beginning to feel better. A month later, I am close to being back to my old self. There are other better alternatives."

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

Lipitor (atorvastatin) 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!"

• Tot...
• October 7, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I took 10mg atorvastatin for 8 months. During that time, I slowly had the following side effects: extreme tiredness, memory loss, confusion, muscle weakness, trouble walking, my arm muscles became useless, joint pain in my middle finger where I had trouble bending my finger, facial twitching, pressure in my chest, thyroid nodule swelling, blurred vision off and on, extreme sensitivity to light, and uncontrollable eye jumping. I have been diagnosed with Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which I fully believe is due to the sensitivity of light. The LED lighting in a grocery store damaged my retinas. But what I can't understand is out of all the doctors throughout all my symptoms, not one connected it to atorvastatin! I was drinking gallons of water, I began to have trouble urinating. That is when I started researching the detailed side effects of atorvastatin! I was completely horrified at the dangers, and I stopped taking it."

• Lip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For High Cholesterol "In the first few days of taking Lipitor, I was unbelievably tired, weak, and dizzy. I had muscle aches, dry mouth, and a headache. I felt on the verge of having a heart attack. I felt nauseous, and these symptoms just got worse the longer I took it. It got to the point where I was so dizzy I couldn't drive my car. I had to get off it immediately."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2023

Lipitor (atorvastatin) "I took Lipitor for nearly two weeks under the doctor’s recommendation. I had to stop taking the medication as I had adverse side effects of severe muscle pain in my shins and upper arms. I felt extremely tired and dizzy, and my memory slowed. I am no longer taking this medication."

• cho...
• January 19, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Prescribed 10 mg. Side effects started with an upset stomach (improved by always taking with food). Within a couple of weeks, the side effects exploded. No idea of whether or not it improved my labs (they were not supposed to be drawn for two more weeks). I am a vegetarian (no meat of any kind, no dairy milk, but I do eat some dairy cheese and eggs) and also a licensed massage therapist (so I know 'normal' muscle tension or joint pain and how to improve it). My side effects (in no particular order): muscle cramps/pain/weakness/swelling/tightness, tiredness, diarrhea/intestinal cramping, increased ringing in the ears, and depression/angry mood swings. Three days without medication, and pain, etc., continues to improve."

• Bpk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2013

For High Cholesterol, Familial Homozygous "My doctor switched me from simvastatin 80 mg to atorvastatin 20 mg because my cholesterol started to go up again from 130 to 154. This is only day four of taking this medicine and I feel like I was hit by a brick wall. I feel so tired and have to force myself to get out of bed. I also feel that it's affecting my cognitive abilities. Calling my doctor today to switch..."

• Cre...
• September 24, 2015

For High Cholesterol "Started on 10 mg daily in May. Began having headaches daily, and my joints in my hands increased in pain, especially in the AM. I am in my 4th month now, headaches are much better. Hands still hurt but seem a little better. Now my back aches a lot, and I feel tired every morning. It's like I stayed up half the night, making it a chore to get up and get ready for work. I worry about all the things this drug may be doing to my kidneys, liver, and muscles. However, after 3 months, my cholesterol and LDL dropped significantly. I would like to maybe decrease to every other day or maybe try diet and exercise again."

• Unk...
• August 2, 2015

For High Cholesterol "When taking atorvastatin, I have developed many side effects. I have had headaches, dizziness, lack of energy, weakness, like I'm always tired, chills, fever, cramps, sore eyes, and mood swings. Although this medication seems to work well."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

For High Cholesterol "I had a TIA August 11th, and the Dr. prescribed 40 mg of Atorvastatin. I became so tired and had blood work done, and my ALT level was 488! Thankfully, my ALT is down to 192 since stopping it 15 days ago. I would never take another medication that you need to check liver levels. Who knows what lasting effects this could have on my future. Very scary."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2023

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking atorvastatin for 6 months, and I feel horrible. I have had muscle pain and trouble with my asthma since I started taking it. The biggest side effect is just generally feeling like a zombie, having no energy, extreme fatigue, trouble sleeping, and just feeling like total rubbish all the time. I'm over it."

• Sky...
• December 16, 2019

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "After carotid artery surgery, my doctor prescribed atorvastatin 80 mg. After a while, I began having leg, buttocks, and back pain. I started feeling lightheaded and very tired. Wondering if this product causes muscle pain."

• Eze...
• June 12, 2017

For High Cholesterol "I've been taking atorvastatin for a couple of weeks now. HATE IT AND WILL STOP TODAY! I have a cough and stuffy nose (side effect), tight chest, tired all the time, muscle cramps, off-and-on diarrhea, sore throat, no need to say anymore. I've been put on several different kinds of meds for high cholesterol, and they all have side effects that I can't deal with. It's sad, but every doctor I've had has wanted to put me on these meds that make me sick. I'm gonna find foods that may help."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I will not live long enough to enjoy the benefits of low cholesterol because I will probably take drastic measures due to the grade III-IV tinnitus I have as a result of taking atorvastatin. Eleven months in, starting with 10 mg and increasing to 40 mg. Some minor side effects at the beginning, like tiredness and vision problems. Unfortunately, during the 11th week, I developed horrible tinnitus. It is unbearable. I stopped taking the drug two days ago. If the tinnitus does not reduce..."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

For High Cholesterol "This drug is like a slow poison. After a few days of taking it, I started to feel pain in my fingers. I talked to my doctor, and they said I can continue the 'medication.' Slowly, other side effects started to develop: low energy, tiredness, dizziness, confusion, panic attacks, anxiety, and a general feeling of awfulness. I messaged my doctor last night and stopped the medication without their approval. I will never take it again."

• Jan...
• June 27, 2017

For High Cholesterol "Difficulty commencing in meds, but eventually settled down. I have been on this medication for 12 months, after 2 months, I developed neuropathy, but it wasn't considered that this may be the cause. This week, after being on it for 12 months, the GP has stopped it to see if there are any changes to symptoms. What I would like to know is if anyone has any experience of withdrawal effects from this as I feel dreadful after being off it for 5 days. Legs are like jelly, wobbly, nausea, headache, and extremely tired."

• NY1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I was given atorvastatin by my cardiologist one month ago. The first 10 days, I only felt a bit tired in the evening. Then, after 10 days, I started experiencing stomach problems, felt bloated all the time, gas in my belly, even though I don't eat anything that could cause it. I went to the ER twice because of the pressure I felt on my organs. I am not sure 100% yet, but I think it's the medicine. I stopped taking it, even though my doctor does not agree, because I want to see if I return to the way I was before. I am feeling so sick all the time, and before taking this medicine, I have never been to an ER and was never ill..."

• jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2024

For Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease "I was on 40 mg/day for 3 months and lost 30 kgs. Way too much weight loss too quickly. During this time and towards the end, I started having all the side effects mentioned - bone pains, muscle pains, hip pains, sore shoulders, unable to lift arms or legs, and generally feeling lethargic, sometimes nauseous and dizzy. Personally, I found the weight loss too severe and far too swift to the point of being dangerous. I've paused atorvastatin for a month and now feel 100% better with no more pains. No, I don't recommend this, but that is my opinion."

• sup...
• December 4, 2017

For High Cholesterol "After a single bypass, I was put on atorvastatin at the end of May. My first blood test after being on the drug was total = 147, HDL 56, LDL 70, and triglycerides 106. I went on vacation and did not take the drug for 3 to 4 weeks-also not the best eating habits on vacation-but felt good. Then I had my second test, and it went up total 220-HDL 66, LDL 133, and triglycerides 103. The doctor said to get back on the medication. I only take 10 mg a day, but I always feel tired now that I am back on. What I don't like is my doctor says they want my LDL down to 50?? To put things in perspective, my test 9 months before surgery was total 212, HDL 57, LDL 143, triglycerides 62-also, I am 68 and had been very active."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For High Cholesterol "Horrible medication. After just a week on a low dose, I started to feel exhausted, no energy, low mood, sleep disturbance, waking up in the middle of the night. Confusion, lack of concentration, dizziness, reduced appetite, depression. There must be something better than these awful drugs."

• lin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 15, 2021

For High Cholesterol "I have been on Lipitor about 10 years, 80 mg. I started to develop tiredness and weakness in all my muscles-legs, arms, neck, chest, etc. My legs feel heavy. All exercises have become very difficult and painful. I'm very frightened. My cardiologist has set me up for 2 blood tests-CK and Aldolase. We shall see if they are elevated. Then what, if they are? Does this muscle inflammation stop, or will I become a cripple? I am very fearful and waiting for results."