Lipitor Side Effects in Females: What to Know

Key Takeaways

There is no major difference between men and women in the common side effects of Lipitor.
Your doctor may advise stopping Lipitor if you are pregnant, as it may be harmful to the baby.
It’s unclear if Lipitor passes into human milk or affects breastfed infants. However, other drugs in the same class have been found in human milk.

Are Lipitor side effects different for females?

There is no major difference between men and women in the common side effects of Lipitor (generic drug: atorvastatin). However, taking this medication during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing baby.

Lipitor Risks in Females During Pregnancy and Lactation

Cholesterol is necessary to build healthy cells. Because Lipitor decreases cholesterol formation in the liver, taking this medication during pregnancy can be harmful to the developing baby and may cause birth defects.

While there is a meta-analysis showing that statins are not associated with major birth defects when used by pregnant women, there is no human data on their safety during pregnancy. For a long time, statin use has been contraindicated (not used) during pregnancy.

In July of 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the strongest warning against statin use during pregnancy. However, the agency still advises women to stop taking statins during pregnancy. Therefore, your doctor will likely advise temporarily stopping all cholesterol-lowering drugs, including Lipitor, if you are pregnant.

We do not know if Lipitor passes into human milk or what the effects of this drug are on a breastfed infant or on milk production in lactating females. Other drugs in the same class have been found in human milk.

Animal studies have shown that atorvastatin can pass into breast milk. The presence of Lipitor in breast milk can potentially cause harm to the infant. Therefore, you should not take Lipitor if you are breastfeeding.

What are the negatives of taking Lipitor?

Common Side Effects of Lipitor

There is no major difference between men and women in the common side effects of Lipitor. This medication can cause gas, heartburn, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, joint pain, difficult or painful urination, memory loss, and confusion. In addition, taking Lipitor can cause unexplained muscle pain. Lipitor is a strong lipophilic statin and is more likely to cause muscle symptoms than hydrophilic statins like rosuvastatin and pravastatin.

Serious Side Effects of Lipitor

Allergic Reactions

Rarely, Lipitor can cause an allergic reaction with signs and symptoms including skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the head and neck, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. Seek emergency medical care if this happens.

Muscle Problems

There are reports of myopathy (muscle damage), rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue), and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy in people who took Lipitor and other statins. Signs and symptoms include muscle pain, muscle cramps, and muscle weakness with elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels on blood tests. This is a medical emergency. It can lead to kidney failure and even death. Call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical care if you develop severe muscle pain while on Lipitor.

Before starting Lipitor, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have risk factors for muscle-related adverse effects, such as age above 65 years, uncontrolled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), kidney problems, or liver problems (reduced liver function).

Serious Liver Injury

Statin therapy can cause liver damage and abnormal liver function. In most cases, these changes occur soon after starting Lipitor therapy. They are usually temporary and do not cause any symptoms. The abnormal liver function usually resolves when Lipitor treatment is discontinued briefly.

Very rarely, people taking statins to treat high cholesterol have developed liver failure, which may be fatal. The risk of liver damage is higher in people who consume large amounts of alcohol or have a health history of liver disease.

Your health care professional may order liver enzyme tests before starting Lipitor and periodically during treatment. You will need to stop taking Lipitor if you develop signs of liver problems, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss.

Increased Blood Glucose Levels

There are reports of increased hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood glucose levels in people on statin therapy, including Lipitor. You can lower your risk of diabetes with lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Increased Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Studies have found that men and women taking high-dose Lipitor 80 mg daily who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack in the last 6 months are at an increased risk of a repeat hemorrhagic stroke.

Drug Interactions

Before starting Lipitor treatment, give your doctor a complete list of all your other medications. Certain medicines can interact with Lipitor and increase the risk of serious muscle problems and other side effects. This includes a drug combination of Lipitor and certain other cholesterol-lowering drugs like gemfibrozil and niacin, some antiviral and antifungal drugs, certain antibiotics, immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine, and certain HIV medications.

Food Interactions

You should avoid drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 liters daily) while on Lipitor. This can increase the blood levels of the drug and cause more serious side effects of Lipitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is weight gain a side effect of Lipitor in females?

Weight changes are not reported as side effects of Lipitor. Remember that Lipitor works in combination with a heart-healthy diet and increased physical activity. These lifestyle changes can help both men and women lose weight.

What should be avoided when taking Lipitor?

Avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fats or trans fats, fried foods, fast food, full-fat dairy, red meat, and processed meats.
Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 liters a day).
Avoid drinking alcohol (this can increase the risk of liver damage).

What is the best cholesterol medication with the least side effects?

Statins, including Lipitor, are some of the most effective cholesterol-lowering medications. They have been around for decades and have been studied extensively for safety and efficacy. Most people tolerate statins well, although they can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, muscle aches, joint pain, and headache. Serious side effects of statins are rare.

Are statins right for you? Read our blog to learn if you should take statins for cholesterol.

What is Lipitor used for?

Lipitor belongs to a group of cholesterol drugs called statins. Doctors prescribe Lipitor to people whose blood tests show high cholesterol and in whom high cholesterol is not controlled with healthy lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

Lipitor helps in lowering cholesterol and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. But taking Lipitor carries some risks. This cholesterol-lowering drug can cause both mild and serious side effects.

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