Atorvastatin

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Reviewed on Jul 02, 2025. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical Lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on April 02, 2028.

Last updated on Jul 02, 2025.

Product info

Atorvastatin is a tablet treatment for high cholesterol.
It’s a type of statin that works by reducing cholesterol production.
The tablets are available in four doses — you usually take one a day.

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Atorvastatin: essential info
Atorvastatin: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin tablets are used to lower high cholesterol.They belong to a group of medicines known as statins. You take statins if you’ve been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol, as they lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce the risk of heart disease, like strokes and heart attacks, in patients.

Atorvastin is a prescription only treatment, and comes in the form of a regular or chewable tablet. If you have a family history of heart disease, or a long-term health problem like rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it may be a suitable treatment option for you.

How does Atorvastatin work?

Atorvastatin works in two ways to lower cholesterol. It blocks the enzyme that creates cholesterol, which prevents the liver from producing it. The reduced production of cholesterol then lowers the overall concentration of it in the blood.^[1]

The second way Atorvastatin works is by helping with the reabsorption of existing cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed by your body to perform certain tasks. When it’s low, your body will reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in your arteries. This normally exists as plaques that are made up of LDLs (low-density lipoprotein), which is classed as “bad” cholesterol.

What doses of Atorvastatin are there?

You can purchase atorvastatin in six different doses; 10mg, 20mg, 30mg 40mg, 60mg and 80mg. The right dose for you will depend on the levels of cholesterol in your body, and a clinician can guide you on this. The typical starting dosage for adults between the ages of 18-64 years old is 10mg once a day. The dose might be lowered or increased depending on how much it reduces your cholesterol levels or causes unwanted side effects. The maintenance dosage for this age bracket is 10-80mg once a day. ^[2]

Your dosage could be lowered once you’re over 65, as your kidneys may not function as well as they used to, which can lead to your body processing drugs at a slower rate. This may increase your risk of experiencing side effects, like headaches, nausea, diarrhoea and cold-like symptoms.

Treated trusted sources:

Stancu, C. and Sima, A., 2001. Statins: mechanism of action and effects. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 5(4),
EMC, 2022. Atorvastatin 10 mg Film Coated Tablets

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on April 02, 2025. Next review due on April 02, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Atorvastatin

You should use Atorvastatin as directed. The oral tablet is prescribed as a long-term treatment and comes with risks if it’s not taken correctly. In most cases, you’ll be advised to take one dose once a day in the evening, as your body produces more cholesterol at this time. It should be swallowed whole and can be taken with or without food.

To work properly, a certain amount of the drug will need to be present in your body at all times. If you stop taking Atorvastatin or miss a dose, the medication won’t work as effectively. If you take too much, then you should seek medical advice.

How long does it take Atorvastatin to work?

Everyone reacts to medication differently, but once you start taking atorvastatin tablets, your cholesterol levels should drop considerably within four weeks.^[1]
This improvement will only be seen in patients who take their medication daily, as prescribed. You’ll be given blood tests at the start of your treatment to track your progress. You should follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly alongside taking your medication to lower blood cholesterol.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Atorvastatin?

If you forget to take a dose of Atorvastatin, you should take your tablet as soon as you remember. If you remember shortly before your next scheduled dose, then you should skip the dose that you missed. You should never take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Taking too much Atorvastatin is unlikely to cause you much harm, but it can increase your risk of experiencing unpleasant side effects. If you’ve taken more Atorvastatin than you should and you feel worried, you should contact a clinician or pharmacist.

Treated trusted sources:

nhs.uk. 2021. Atorvastatin: a medicine used to lower cholesterol. [online]

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on April 02, 2025. Next review due on April 02, 2028.

How we source info.

FAQ: Atorvastatin

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is Atorvastatin different from other treatments for high cholesterol?

Answer:

Atorvastatin is one of the most effective and modern treatments for high cholesterol on the market. It’s a more potent drug compared to most other statins ^[2] and has a long half-life of 14 hours. ^[1] The statin has been extensively studied in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and may have some clinical advantages over other statins in these respects. ^[3]

Is Atorvastatin similar to any other treatments?

Answer:

Two of the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol are Atorvastatin and Simvastatin. They both belong to the drug class called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins. They’re equally effective but work in a slightly different way.

Lipitor is an atorvastatin-based prescription medicine that lowers blood cholesterol. It reduces the “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood while raising the levels of “good” cholesterol. It works in the same way as Atorvastatin, but it’s a branded treatment, rather than a generic. So the packaging and the appearance of the tablets may look different. Because it’s branded, it’s usually slightly more expensive too.

Which version of Atorvastatin should I use?

Answer:

Our clinician can discuss this with you. There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to finding the right dose for you. They include your age, the severity of your condition, any other medication that you’re taking and why the medication is being prescribed for you in the first place.

How effective is Atorvastatin?

Answer:

Atorvastatin has been found to be an effective treatment. It has been extensively studied and has some clinical advantages over other statins. ^[2] According to Arca and Gaspardone, a study revealed that Atorvastatin reduced the relative risk of primary coronary heart disease events by 36% compared to patients who suffered from hypertension and took a placebo.^[2] A meta-review of clinical trials and studies analysing atorvastatin found that it reduced blood LDL‐cholesterol by 37.1% to 51.7%, depending on the dose used.^[3]

Do I need a prescription for Atorvastatin?

Answer:

Yes. Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medication because its efficacy needs to be monitored at the start of treatment. If you find that it isn’t working as effectively as it should, our clinician can adjust your dosage or recommend alternative treatments for you. They may prescribe this medication to you if you’ve got a family history of heart disease or if you have a long-term health condition like rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Treated trusted sources:

Kim, J., Park, K., Jang, M., Park, T., Lee, J., Yang, J., Song, Y., Choi, S., Gwon, H., Lee, S., Hong, K. and Hahn, J., 2018. High‐Intensity Versus Non‐High‐Intensity Statins in Patients Achieving Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goal After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(21).
Arca, M. and Gaspardone, A., 2007. Atorvastatin Efficacy in the Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events. Drugs, 67 (Supplement 1), pp. 29-4
Adams, Stephen P, et al. “Atorvastatin for Lowering Lipids.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, vol. 12, no. 3