Author: John Carter

What happens when you mix Lipitor and alcohol?

If you already experience occasional cold symptoms while taking Lipitor, you might experience worsened cold symptoms while mixing Lipitor with alcohol. But, drinking alcohol may worsen their potential side effects for people with certain medical conditions. Current recommendations are that liver function tests be completed before beginning statin therapy and only repeated if there is a clinical reason to do so. Studies have found that some people who use Lipitor have an elevation of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Luckily, having an occasional drink is not likely to cause any harm. There is no specific Lipitor interaction with alcohol on the drug’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label.

The most common side effect of statin use is 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. Alcohol is also well-known for causing liver problems, such as liver inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol-related liver disease can be severe and irreversible, which can lead to an array of problems. Because Lipitor is processed in the liver, a damaged liver could affect how Lipitor is absorbed and processed in the body. Rather, drug-induced liver disease is usually an autoimmune condition, in which the drug prompts some people’s bodies to make antibodies that attack their own liver tissue.

1. In extreme cases, it can lead to rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition that may cause liver damage, kidney failure, or death.
2. Because both heavy drinking and (rarely) statin use can interfere with liver function, the two together could put people at a greater risk of liver-related health problems.
3. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.
4. In addition, those who have liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C infections may respond better to medications (interferon) when they are given statins.
5. Your healthcare provider knows your medical history and current health status and can advise you on whether or not it is safe to drink while on Lipitor.

Drinking in moderation is not likely to be a problem while taking Lipitor. The main issue with Lipitor and alcohol consumption arises if you tend to drink heavily every week. Drinking large amounts of alcohol puts you at an increased risk of liver damage, which may be worsened by Lipitor.

I want to get healthier

However, that doesn’t mean there is no risk of an adverse effect or that you’re set for several nights of heavy drinking in a row. Both Lipitor and alcohol are mainly processed by the liver, which could lead to problems if there are signs of liver injury present. Around 1–3% of people who take statins may experience elevated liver enzyme levels, which often cause no symptoms. This side effect tends to occur within the first few months of taking statins and typically does not result in long-term liver damage. 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.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

Although taking the two together has no direct risks, both statins and alcohol can impair liver function and cause tissue damage. Mixing alcohol and statins can, therefore, increase the burden on the liver, potentially raising the risk of liver damage or disease. If you drink alcohol and are taking Lipitor, let your healthcare provider know.

As always, you should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional if you have concerns about how to take prescription statin therapy, such as Lipitor. Lipitor is the most commonly prescribed prescription medication worldwide. It is used to lower cholesterol levels, thus guarding against heart attack and stroke. In general, though, drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol has not been shown to be harmful. The blood levels of Lipitor are higher in people with chronic alcoholic liver disease than in otherwise healthy individuals without liver problems.

Lipitor and alcohol both affect the liver, and people who drink excessively may need to be extra cautious while taking this medication. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients. But because the risk of liver damage is so rare, this is no longer the case. The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism means those who drink heavily could be at greater risk, however.

The Effect of Statins on the Liver

Because both heavy drinking and (rarely) statin use can interfere with liver function, the two together could put people at a greater risk of liver-related health problems. When talking about the effect of alcohol on liver disease related to Lipitor, it’s important to note that severe liver injury is not usually due to the cumulative effect of statins. It’s not rare for some people to experience a sore throat and a stuffy nose after a night of drinking alcohol. Studies suggest that alcohol, especially red wine, can promote the release of histamine in the body, a substance involved in allergic reactions. The release of histamine can cause symptoms like a runny nose and nasal congestion. Lipitor can also cause common cold symptoms, such as a sore throat and a stuffy nose.

As of 2017, there were approximately 50 case reports of liver injury in people taking statins that led to death or the need for liver transplantation. People who drink alcohol regularly should discuss their consumption habits with a doctor before taking statins to reduce the risk of complications. 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.

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. In addition, those who have liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C infections may respond better to medications (interferon) when they are given statins. However, it’s important to note that alcohol worsens hepatitis C, and should be avoided in general in patients with the disease.

Statins can also increase the risk of developing benign proteinuria, a condition in which there is excess protein in the urine. This article will discuss how liver function is impacted by statins as well as by alcohol, and who should avoid combining the two. 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. Prescription drugs all come with side effects, or the risk of side effects. With statins, the lengthy list of side effects may cause some people to question whether it’s worth the trade-off.

Do alcohol and cholesterol mix?

Many people underestimate their alcohol intake, but being honest with your healthcare provider will ultimately help them take care of you as well as possible. Your healthcare provider knows your medical history and current health status and can advise you on whether or not it is safe to drink while on Lipitor. 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. Clinically apparent liver injury—injury enough to cause symptoms rather than simply abnormal liver function tests alone—is very uncommon with statins. There are changes in liver tests alone (no symptoms,) clinical liver disease (symptoms) related to statin use, and severe liver disease. Statins may actually reduce mortality in some people who already have liver disease.

Lipitor blood levels in people with liver disease can be around four to 16 times higher than those in people without liver disease, depending on the severity of the disease. The result of high Lipitor levels in the blood could be an increased risk of side effects, including liver damage. People with acute liver disease should not be mixing alcohol and Lipitor at all. One serious side effect of Lipitor is abnormal liver function and liver disease.

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. That said, having the occasional drink while on Lipitor should not cause harm in people who do not have liver problems and are generally healthy. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.