This is considered an “idiosyncratic” reaction, something that isn’t well understood and can’t be predicted. It’s not uncommon to have abnormal liver function tests when taking Lipitor, but there are other considerations when looking at the effects of statins on the liver. They stabilize and reduce the size of the coronary artery plaques that can lead to heart attacks, the leading cause of death in the U.S. before cancer. This article will discuss how liver function is impacted by statins as well as by alcohol, and who should avoid combining the two. Statins can increase the risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney damage and, eventually, kidney failure.
Alcohol has also been tied to a lower risk of blood clots and decreased levels of inflammation markers. To help reduce health problems, medical experts often recommend limiting alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. One drink is equal to 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels or alcohol intake, talk with a healthcare professional. They can provide appropriate testing and additional resources if needed.
So you may be more likely to experience liver problems if you drink alcohol during your is dmt addictive Lipitor treatment. You should consider moderating or eliminating your alcohol intake with certain cholesterol medicines. Cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins, when mixed with excessive alcohol, may elevate triglyceride levels, worsen muscle side effects and possibly lead to liver damage.
Cholesterol and Alcohol
By some estimates, about 9% of people who take statins are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after taking them for 4 years. Before taking statins, it is important to talk with a doctor about alcohol consumption habits and how much alcohol is safe to drink. It can be helpful to have an honest conversation with your doctor about your alcohol use if you are considering taking statins to manage your cholesterol levels. Prescription drugs all come with side effects, or the risk of side effects.
- By some estimates, about 9% of people who take statins are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after taking them for 4 years.
- In extreme cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a life threatening condition that may cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death.
- However, many healthcare providers recommend taking it in the evening since most cholesterol is produced by the body at night.
- However, heavy drinkers or those who already have liver damage due to heavy drinking could be at greater risk for more serious side effects.
- If you have questions about taking NSAIDs with Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Statins interfere with the body’s production of cholesterol and help to lower low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), or bad cholesterol, when diet and exercise haven’t proven effective. Taking CoQ10 supplements along with Lipitor may lower your risk of these side effects. But more research is needed to determine whether CoQ10 may be effective for this use. Talk with your doctor to see if they may recommend taking CoQ10 supplements along with Lipitor. Before you start treatment for high cholesterol, your doctor will recommend the best plan for you. In some cases, they may recommend taking Zetia and Lipitor together.
But if you need to have lab tests, make sure the healthcare professional giving you the test knows about all medications you currently take. They can make sure there won’t be any interactions between your lab tests and medications. The package insert for Praluent (alirocumab) and Repatha (evolocumab) do not list alcohol (ethanol) as a possible drug-drug interaction. However, these agents work in the liver and Praluent has been linked with elevated liver enzymes, which may signal liver toxicity.
These oral medicines are available as single agents or in combination with other medicines. Lipitor is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat high cholesterol. If you’re taking Lipitor, it can be easy to find yourself in a situation in which you might be offered a drink. HDL protects heart health because it collects excess cholesterol and transports it to your liver, where it can be removed or recycled.
Sometimes, this interaction can cause Lipitor to be less effective. Excessive drinking also can lead to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and stroke. Eventually, heavy alcohol use can leave the heart too weak to pump efficiently, a condition called congestive heart failure. A few studies have found that people who drink alcohol in moderation have lower rates of heart disease, and might even live longer than those who abstain.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Use of this website and any information contained herein is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement. Rhabdomyolysis may also have no symptoms aside from atypical lab values, so keeping appointments for laboratory monitoring is important if you drink and take statins.
Key facts about statins and alcohol
Talk to your doctor first if you have more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks daily and you take a statin. Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a brand-name statin drug prescribed to treat high cholesterol. It can also help lower certain fats in the blood called triglycerides. Lowering cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications and adverse events. If you are taking Lipitor (atorvastatin) or other statins to control your cholesterol levels, it’s best to avoid drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol. Lipitor and alcohol both affect the liver, and people who drink excessively may need to be extra cautious while taking this medication.
Former Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch
So taking the two together may increase your risk of side effects such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems. You may have heard that drinking a glass or two of red wine each day can help reduce your risk of heart disease. But before you raise a glass and toast how to make myself pee to your heart, know that the news about alcohol isn’t entirely positive.
Despite the recommendation to monitor liver tests, and the uncommon risk of severe liver injury, statins may be helpful for some people with liver disease. The most common side effects of statin use are muscle pain and inflammation. In extreme cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a life threatening condition that may cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or consume large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis. Niacin should not be used if you have liver problems or a history of liver disease, elevated liver enzyme levels or current liver disease. Luckily, having an occasional drink is not likely to cause any harm.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend taking Lipitor with lisinopril. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be cymbalta alcohol a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Statins are being evaluated for their ability to reduce the worsening of liver disease in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In one study looking at people with severe alcoholic liver disease, the use of statins cut the risk of death from alcoholic cirrhosis in half. While combining Lipitor and alcohol is potentially harmful to the liver, there is no solid research to confirm a higher risk of problems in those who take this medication and drink alcohol. Liver injury in people who drink alcohol and take statins is most likely caused by the alcohol, with no additional effect from the statins. Taking birth control pills with Lipitor may raise your risk of side effects from your birth control pills.