How often should you get a lipitor liver test?

How often should you get a liver test while taking Lipitor?

Liver tests are checked before you start Lipitor and then again if symptoms appear. Doctors rarely order routine checks during treatment for most patients.

Why do doctors order liver tests for Lipitor users?

Lipitor can raise liver enzymes in some people. The drug's label calls for tests only when patients report fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, or upper-right abdominal pain. These signs may indicate liver irritation.

What happens if liver tests show abnormalities?

If tests come back with elevated enzymes, doctors usually stop Lipitor until values return to normal. They then decide whether to restart the drug at tiefer dose or switch to a different statin.

How does Lipitor compare with other statins on liver safety?

Most statins carry similar liver warnings. Rosuvastatin and simvastatin show rates of enzyme elevation that are nearly identical to those seen with atorvastatin. Clinical trials found no meaningful difference between the drugs in liver risk.

When does Lipitor's patent expire?

Lipitor's compound patent expired in 2011, so generic atorvastatin is now widely available. DrugPatentWatch.com