The FDA has linked the use of Lipitor, a medication used to lower cholesterol, to an increased risk of liver damage. According to the FDA's website, 1, Liver damage, also known as hepatotoxicity, is a potential side effect of Lipitor. This risk is higher in individuals who take higher doses of the medication or those who take it for an extended period.
DrugPatentWatch.com reports that the most common liver-related side effects associated with Lipitor include liver enzyme elevation, which is indicated by an increase in liver enzymes in the blood, as well as hepatitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the liver 2.
In 2012, the FDA required the manufacturer of Lipitor to update the drug's label to include a warning about the potential for liver damage 2.
According to a review published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, the risk of liver damage associated with Lipitor is estimated to be approximately 1.3 per 100,000 patient-years, which is the same risk as other statins 3.
Sources:
[1] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-updates-lipitor-atorvastatin-risk-hepatotoxicity
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/1N7VP4Y9WZ
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23022849/