Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using atorvastatin as follows:

Liver disease

• Atorvastatin is mainly metabolized and excreted in bile, by the liver.
• If liver function is deficient, metabolism and excretion of atorvastatin could be slowed down.
• Slowing down of the drug metabolism and excretion can result in increased risk for toxicity and side-effects of the medication.
• Also, atorvastatin carries a risk of liver damage and compromised liver function and so, should be very cautiously used and liver function closely monitored in individuals with history of liver injury.

History of muscle injury and breakdown

• Use of atorvastatin carries a small chance of skeletal muscle injury and breakdown.
• Protein molecules released into the blood from this skeletal muscle injury enter the kidney to be eliminated in urine.
• But, as these molecules are large, they will not be filtered through the kidneys into the urine and get blocked, thus damaging the kidneys and leading to kidney failure.
• Individuals with history of muscle damage are at increased risk for this side-effect with atorvastatin and so, must be cautiously used and renal function closely monitored.

Do not use this medication if you have history of allergy or serious side-effects to atorvastatin or use of any other medication belonging to statin group, such as, lovastatin and pravastatin.