PATIENT INFORMATION
Starting Atorvastatin
Your GP has prescribed Atorvastatin 20mg. It has gone to your usual pharmacy and is on your repeat prescriptions.
How to take it
Do
- take one tablet a day, at the same time each day
- pick a time you will remember, morning or evening
- take it with or without food
- keep taking it, because the protection comes from taking it every day
Do not
- do not take 2 tablets to make up for a missed one
- do not drink large amounts of grapefruit juice, although a glass now and then is fine
- do not stop it because of an ache without telling us first
What to expect
Most people feel no different. Your cholesterol falls within a few weeks.
Mild aches or a slightly upset stomach in the first weeks usually settle.
Your blood test
Book a blood test with reception about 3 months from now. It checks your cholesterol and your liver.
You do not need to fast for it. We will text you a reminder. After that, once a year.
Aches and the tablet
Aches are common in people taking nothing at all. So an ache does not mean the tablet caused it.
Tell us if you get one. We can work out which it is rather than just stopping.
Read about muscle aches on a statin
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if you have:
- chest pain at rest, or chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes
- sudden weakness or numbness in the face or one arm
- sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
Urgent advice: Stop the tablet and contact the surgery the same day if you have:
- dark or cola-coloured urine
- severe muscle pain or weakness, or trouble climbing stairs
- yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Some medicines interact with statins. Tell any doctor, dentist or pharmacist who prescribes for you that you take Atorvastatin.
More information
NHS.UKStatins: how they work and side effectswww.nhs.uk/medicines/statins/
Reviewed 26 August 2026 ยท next review 26 February 2027