Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin medication that works well to lower high cholesterol. It can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain high-risk people, too. 

If you’re prescribed atorvastatin, finding the right dose often involves striking a balance between your treatment goals, risk factors, and side effects.

So, what’s considered a typical atorvastatin dosage? And what happens if you miss your dose, or you take too much? We explore these topics and more below.

What’s the typical atorvastatin dosage for adults?

Atorvastatin is approved to treat high cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) from different causes, including inherited (passed down) conditions. It can also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain high-risk adults, including those with diabetes.

Atorvastatin is available as an oral tablet. You’ll typically take it once a day, at any time of day. But make sure to pick a time that works for you and stick with it. You can take atorvastatin with or without food.

The typical atorvastatin dosage for adults depends on why you’re taking it. Based on how you respond to treatment, your atorvastatin dosage may be increased (or decreased) over time.

High cholesterol

For high cholesterol, the typical atorvastatin starting dosage is 10 mg or 20 mg once daily for adults. But if you need a greater reduction in your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, you may start with the 40 mg dose instead. Atorvastatin dosages usually range from 10 mg to 80 mg once daily.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Atorvastatin is approved to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). HoFH is a rare condition involving altered genes passed down through both parents that results in very high cholesterol levels. The typical atorvastatin dosage for HoFH ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg once daily.

What’s the typical atorvastatin dosage for children?

Atorvastatin is approved to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adolescents ages 10 to 17 years old. HeFH is like HoFH, but you only inherit an altered gene through one parent, not both. The typical atorvastatin dosage for HeFH ranges from 10 mg to 20 mg once daily.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions or interactions?

Atorvastatin is broken down by your liver, and your body gets rid of it through your bile. Atorvastatin can cause liver damage. If you have liver problems, your healthcare provider may avoid prescribing atorvastatin.

Some medications can affect how your liver breaks down atorvastatin, increasing the likelihood of side effects. If you take certain medications, your healthcare provider may limit your atorvastatin dosage to minimize this risk.

Atorvastatin’s manufacturer recommends limiting your dosage to 20 mg once daily if you also take the following medications:

• Clarithromycin (Biaxin)

• Itraconazole (Sporanox)

• Certain HIV medications

And if you take nelfinavir (Viracept), your dosage may be limited to 40 mg once daily.

Keep in mind that this list does not contain all the possible medications that may interact with atorvastatin. It’s best to make sure your healthcare provider and pharmacist have an updated list of your medications. They can use it to check for any possible interactions with atorvastatin. 

What happens if you miss a dose of atorvastatin?

If you forget to take your atorvastatin dose, take it as soon as possible. But if it has been more than 12 hours since you were supposed to take it, go ahead and skip it. Then wait and take the next dose at its regularly scheduled time. 

Don’t take two atorvastatin doses at the same time to make up for missed doses. If you have questions about taking atorvastatin, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. 

What should you do if you take too much atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin and other statins can cause various side effects, including muscle and joint pain. Taking too much atorvastatin can increase the likelihood of experiencing these side effects. And in some cases, it can cause serious problems like severe muscle damage (called rhabdomyolysis) and liver problems.

If you think you’ve taken too much atorvastatin, call your healthcare provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. Go to your nearest emergency room if you’re experiencing muscle pain with weakness and dark-colored urine.

How to save on atorvastatin

There are several ways to save on atorvastatin, which is available as a lower-cost generic. With a free GoodRx discount, generic atorvastatin’s price is as low as $6.60 at certain pharmacies.

If you’re eligible, you could pay as little as $4 for brand-name Lipitor with a copay savings card through the manufacturer.

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Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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