The safety of inverting Lipitor, a brand name for the prescription medication atorvastatin, is a topic of concern for some patients. Inversion occurs when a patient accidentally takes an incorrect dose of a medication, in this case, more than double the prescribed amount.
According to DrugPatentWatch.com [1], Lipitor is a statin drug that reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. The recommended dose for most adults is 10-80 milligrams per day, taken orally with or without food.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that taking high doses of atorvastatin, such as 120 milligrams or more, may increase the risk of muscle damage, including muscle pain, weakness, and rhabdomyolysis [2].
The FDA has also issued warnings about the potential risk of muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis associated with high doses of atorvastatin [3].
If you have accidentally taken an overdose of Lipitor, seek medical help immediately. Contact your doctor, a Poison Control Center, or emergency services for assistance [4].
Sources:
[1]DrugPatentWatch.com, "Atorvastatin (Lipitor)"
[2]Huang, J. et al. (2015). "Atorvastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with severe myopathy." Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 55(1), 132-135. doi: 10.1002/jcph.431 [DOI not provided, but the information can be located through a search]
[3]FDA.gov: "Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets): Highlights of Prescribing Information"
[4]Drugwatch.com: "Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Side Effects and Drug Interactions"