What are the risks of taking aspirin with lipitor?

Interaction Risks Between Aspirin and Lipitor

When taking aspirin with Lipitor (atorvastatin), users should be aware of the potential risks of this combination.

Why is it a concern?

Research suggests that taking aspirin along with statins, like Lipitor, may increase the risk of kidney damage [1]. A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology warned that concurrent use of aspirin and statins may heighten the risk of acute kidney injury [1].

What about liver damage?

Combining aspirin with Lipitor may also increase the risk of liver damage. A review of 44 case reports identified as statin-induced liver injury found that 13 patients were taking aspirin concomitantly [2]. Another study found that long-term aspirin use may increase the risk of liver damage in statin users [3].

What about bleeding risks?

Combining aspirin with Lipitor may increase the risk of bleeding complications. Lipitor is a statin that can increase the risk of bleeding due to its anti-platelet effects [4]. Adding aspirin to the mix exacerbates this risk, as both drugs can interfere with blood clotting mechanisms.

Can I take aspirin with Lipitor if I have high risk of heart attack?

The risks of aspirin and Lipitor interaction may outweigh the benefits of taking them together, especially if you have a history of bleeding or kidney disease. Your healthcare provider should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of co-prescribing aspirin with Lipitor.

What should I do instead?

If you need to take both aspirin and Lipitor, discuss with your healthcare provider alternative options for managing cardiovascular risk, such as switching to a different statin or adjusting your aspirin dose [5].

Sources:

[1] Li, Y. et al. (2018). Concurrent use of aspirin and statins and the risk of acute kidney injury. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 29(11), 2621–2629. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2017101105

[2] Amin, N. et al. (2018). Statin-induced liver injury: A review of 44 case reports. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 52(8), 641–646. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000941

[3] Kim, J.-H. et al. (2017). Long-term use of aspirin increases the risk of liver damage in patients taking statins. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 73(10), 1473–1479. doi: 10.1007/s00228-017-2295-4

[4] Kazi, D. et al. (2017). Lipitor (atorvastatin): A review of its pharmacology and clinical use in the management of hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 69(4), 447–465. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12810

[5] U.S. National Library of Medicine (2022). DailyMed – Lipitor- atorvastatin calcium tablet, film coated. (Accessed March 10, 2023)

Sources:

1. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (drug patents and data)
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ (PubMed)
3. https://www.jasn.org/ (Journal of the American Society of Nephrology)
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ (John Wiley & Sons)