NHS warns group to avoid … to treat blood pressure

People advised to avoid atorvastatin

The NHS recommends that women who are pregnant should generally not take atorvastatin due to the drug potentially affecting fetal development and birth defects. Because of this, it is also advised that if you become pregnant while taking atorvastatin that you stop taking it and speak with a doctor.

In this case, there may be other alternative medications that a person can take while pregnant. Furthermore, women may be advised to stop taking atorvastatin while breastfeeding, although, it is not yet clear how much of the drug actually passes into breast milk and is unlikely to cause any side effects for a baby.

Guidance from the NHS highlights that you should always speak to a doctor if you’re taking atorvastatin and are trying get pregnant, are already pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should also speak to a doctor about atorvastatin if you:

• Have lung disease
• Have previously had a stroke caused by bleeding into the brain
• Have had muscular side effects when taking a statin in the past
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin or any other medicine
• Have a history of myasthenia gravis or ocular myasthenia
• Have an underactive thyroid
• Have ever had a muscle disorder (including fibromyalgia)
• Regularly drink large amounts of alcohol
• Have liver or kidney problems

Further guidance on taking atorvastatin can be found on the NHS website here.