Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Atorvastatin.

Alcohol: People who drink large quantities of alcohol should be closely monitored by their doctor while they are taking Atorvastatin.

Cardiovascular: There is an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke if atorvastatin is started within 6 months of having a stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). If you have a history of stroke or have had a recent stroke, discuss with your doctor how Atorvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atorvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: Atorvastatin may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Atorvastatin.

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Atorvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atorvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diet: Atorvastatin is not intended to be used alone to reduce high cholesterol levels. It is important that a cholesterol-reducing diet along with appropriate exercise be attempted before taking any medication and continued while taking medication.

Grapefruit juice: Taking atorvastatin and consuming grapefruit juice may result in an increased amount of atorvastatin in the body, and lead to side effects. If you regularly drink grapefruit juice, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should change your diet.

Kidney function: If you have decreased kidney function or a history of Kidney Disease, you may be at an increased risk of developing muscle effects while taking atorvastatin. The lowest effective dose of atorvastatin should be used and your doctor should follow you closely. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how Atorvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atorvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Atorvastatin may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. Atorvastatin should not be used by people with active liver disease or by people whose liver function tests are higher than normal. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Atorvastatin may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Atorvastatin, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Atorvastatin.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Muscle effects: In rare cases, serious muscle pain, cramps, and weakness have been associated with the use of statin medications (i.e., cholesterol-lowering medications whose names end in "statin," such as atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, or Simvastatin), especially at higher doses. Before taking Atorvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have kidney or liver problems
• are taking Niacin or a fibrate medication (such as Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate)
• have an underactive Thyroid gland (Hypothyroidism)
• regularly drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day
• have had any past problems with muscles (pain, tenderness) after taking a statin such as atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, or simvastatin
• have a personal or family history of inherited muscle problems
• are more than 65 years old
• have undergone surgery or suffered any traumatic injury
• are frail
• do excessive physical exercise
• have diabetes

Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, or cramps, or any brown or discoloured urine to your doctor immediately, particularly if you are also experiencing malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) or fever.

Pregnancy: Cholesterol is necessary for the development of an unborn baby. Taking atorvastatin during pregnancy reduces the amount of cholesterol reaching the developing baby and may cause harm to the baby. Atorvastatin should not be taken by pregnant women. If you become pregnant while taking Atorvastatin, stop taking it immediately and contact your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if atorvastatin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Atorvastatin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: There is limited experience with the use of Atorvastatin by children. Atorvastatin has only been studied for use by children aged 10 to 17 years who have inherited cholesterol disorders (also known as familial hypercholesterolemia).

Seniors: If you are more than 70 years old, you may experience more side effects. Your doctor will monitor you closely while you are taking Atorvastatin.