When can i expect lipitor's muscle pain to typically decrease?

Lipitor (atorvastatin) can cause muscle pain in some people. How long it lasts depends on what’s being done about it.

- If the pain is statin-related, many people start to feel better after stopping the medicine, typically within a few days to 1–2 weeks. Some may improve more quickly, others may take a bit longer.
- If your clinician lowers the dose or switches you to a different statin and you resume therapy, the pain can come back within days to weeks after re-starting.
- If symptoms persist for several weeks after stopping the statin, or if you develop severe weakness, or dark urine, you should seek medical attention promptly (rhabdomyolysis is rare but serious).

What you can do:
- Talk with your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Don’t stop Lipitor on your own unless advised.
- Your doctor may check your CK level (a muscle enzyme) and liver enzymes, and decide whether to stop Lipitor temporarily, reduce the dose, or switch to another cholesterol-lowering approach.
- If symptoms improve after stopping, your clinician may try a lower dose or a different statin or a non-statin therapy.

If you’d like, tell me:
- Are you currently taking Lipitor?
- When did the muscle pain start, and how would you describe it (location, pain vs. weakness)?
- What dose are you taking, and are you taking any other medications or supplements?