Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using atorvastatin as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Atorvastatin use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of angioneurotic edema, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Gastrointestinal upset
- Atorvastatin use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, stomach upset, and diarrhea.
- Taking atorvastatin after having a meal or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
Compromised hepatic function
- Atorvastatin use can result in hepatic damage and compromised liver function, consequently leading to mild right upper quadrant pain in the abdomen, poor digestion, and loss of appetite.
- Extreme cases of liver injury can result in findings such as, anemia with associated weakness, compromised endurance, and shortness of breath. Individuals can also present symptoms of jaundice, such as, yellowing of skin and white of the eyes, and dark colored urine, secondary to increased bilirubin pigment, due to liver damage and severely affected liver function.
