Key takeaways:
Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) is a popular cholesterol-lowering medication. It’s available as an oral tablet and suspension that are both taken once daily.
For most people, atorvastatin stays in your system for about 3 days, but its effects may last longer. This timeline can vary if you have liver problems or take medications that interact with atorvastatin. And there isn’t a safe or effective way to flush it out of your system faster.
Your prescriber may recommend stopping atorvastatin before pregnancy or when starting certain medications. But you shouldn’t stop taking atorvastatin without talking to them first.
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Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) is one of the most commonly prescribed statins for managing cholesterol levels. It’s highly effective, but there are times when you may be told to stop taking it. For example, you may be preparing for a major life event like pregnancy or dealing with side effects.
Understanding how long it takes to clear atorvastatin after stopping it can help you make informed decisions about your health. Below, we cover how long atorvastatin stays in your system and other key considerations.
How long does atorvastatin stay in your system?
For most people, atorvastatin stays in the body for about 3 days after stopping it. This timeframe is based on its half-life, which is about 14 hours. That said, atorvastatin is broken down into other active substances in the body that stay in your system for almost a week after your last dose.
Can you flush atorvastatin out of your system?
No. Atorvastatin will eventually leave your body, but there isn’t a way to get it out of your system faster. You may have heard that you can “flush” substances from your system by drinking a lot of water. But this isn’t the case with atorvastatin.
That’s because less than 2% of atorvastatin ends up in your urine after taking a dose. It needs to be processed by your gut and liver before it eventually exits your system. Most of atorvastatin is eliminated through the bile, where it ends up in your stool.
If you have concerns about having too much atorvastatin in your system, call your prescriber. You can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222 instead. They can advise you on what to do next. Never stop taking atorvastatin on your own. This can raise your risk for problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Are there factors that can affect how long atorvastatin stays in your system?
Yes. Atorvastatin is broken down by the liver. This means that if you have liver problems, your body might clear atorvastatin more slowly. Older age can also impact how you break down medications and make you more sensitive to side effects.
Additionally, certain medications that interact with atorvastatin can affect how long it lasts in your body. For example, clarithromycin slows the breakdown of atorvastatin in the liver, causing it to build up. This can increase the risk of side effects, such as muscle pain or damage. And some medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin), can cause atorvastatin to break down faster.
Make sure to share a list of your current medications with your care team. They can help you screen for atorvastatin interactions.
Considerations for how long atorvastatin stays in your system
There are times where you may be more concerned about how long atorvastatin stays in your system. For example, you may be experiencing bothersome side effects, or you need to take a medication that interacts with atorvastatin. You may also need to know when you should stop taking it if you’re planning to become pregnant.
Side effects
The most common side effects that cause people to stop taking atorvastatin are muscle pain, diarrhea, and nausea. If you’re experiencing side effects from atorvastatin, you may be considering stopping it. Consult your prescriber before doing so, because they may be able to help you manage your side effects. Or, they can recommend a different treatment option.
Even though atorvastatin typically leaves the body within 3 days, certain side effects can linger. For most people, muscle pain goes away within 2 weeks of stopping the statin. But for some, it may last longer.
Atorvastatin side effects: Do you have muscle pain after starting atorvastatin? Here’s a list of potential atorvastatin side effects and how to manage them.
Atorvastatin interactions: Did you know that some medications and substances shouldn’t be taken with atorvastatin? Here’s a list of notable atorvastatin interactions and how to manage them.
Real stories: Three people describe their experiences taking atorvastatin to help lower their cholesterol.
Follow up with your prescriber if you continue having side effects after stopping atorvastatin. They can help determine if your body just needs more time, or if the side effects actually weren’t due to atorvastatin.
Drug interactions
As mentioned above, atorvastatin interacts with many medications. So if you need to start a new medication with atorvastatin, your prescriber may need to make adjustments.
In some cases, your prescriber may need to adjust your atorvastatin dose. This includes when you start certain antivirals, antifungals, or antibiotics. You can usually start taking your new medication on the same day your prescriber lowers your atorvastatin dose. But they’ll want to monitor you more closely for side effects for a few days. Tell them if you notice any new side effects such as muscle pain.
Your prescriber may recommend stopping treatment with atorvastatin temporarily if you need to take a medication that interacts with it strongly. One example of this is with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). They will tell you when you should start your new medication after stopping atorvastatin.
Pregnancy
If you’re planning to become pregnant or if you get pregnant during treatment, tell your prescriber. They’ll weigh the risks of continuing your statin during pregnancy and the benefits for your health. But in general, most people are told to stop taking their statin while pregnant.
The bottom line
Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) is a cholesterol medication that typically stays in your system for about 3 days. But it’s also broken down into other active substances that can stick around for almost 1 week. Factors such as liver health, age, and medication interactions can affect this timeline.
If you’re planning on becoming pregnant or starting a new medication, talk to your prescriber. They may need to adjust your atorvastatin dose or have you stop taking it temporarily. Don’t stop taking atorvastatin without speaking to them first.
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References
Armour, R., et. al. (2013). Outcomes of statin myopathy after statin withdrawal. Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease.
Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2024). Atorvastatin calcium tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Garza, A. Z., et. al. (2023). Drug elimination. StatPearls.
HealthInAging. (2023). Medications work differently in older adults.
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2024). PubChem compound summary for CID 60823, Atorvastatin.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA requests removal of strongest warning against using cholesterol-lowering statins during pregnancy; still advises most pregnant patients should stop taking statins.
