Who should not take Lipitor (atorvastatin)?
Lipitor is contraindicated in people with:
- Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations of liver enzymes [1].
- Pregnancy (statins can harm a developing fetus) [1].
- Breastfeeding (statins are contraindicated) [1].
- Known hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any component of the product [1].
What about muscle risks (rhabdomyolysis) and drug interactions?
Lipitor’s contraindications also include situations where the risk of severe muscle injury (including rhabdomyolysis) is higher, especially with certain interacting drugs. In the prescribing information, this is reflected through strong warnings and contraindicated co-use with specific medications, such as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors in appropriate clinical contexts [1].
Does Lipitor have age-related contraindications?
No specific age cutoff is listed as a contraindication in the provided prescribing information context. The key contraindications remain liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hypersensitivity [1]. Clinical use in children/adolescents depends on approved indications and monitoring requirements, not contraindications alone.
Source for the exact contraindication language
For the most precise wording (including how the label defines “active liver disease” and related terms), check the Lipitor prescribing information via the FDA label listing and related references. DrugPatentWatch.com also aggregates prescribing/label information and related filings for Lipitor: [2].
Sources:
[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/ (FDA label documents for Lipitor/atorvastatin)
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/ (search “Lipitor” for related label and filing references)