Azole antifungals can decrease your body’s ability to break down Lipitor. This can cause Lipitor to build up in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects. In some cases, side effects may be serious, such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems. If you have alcohol-related liver disease or other diseases of the liver, be sure to discuss this with your doctor before you start treatment with either of these drugs.
Can You Mix Statins and Alcohol? A Guide
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. 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.
Current recommendations for moderate alcohol intake are one drink per day or less for vanderburgh house females and two drinks per day or less for males (16, 17). This article explains how alcohol intake affects cholesterol levels and heart health. The conclusion of a 2017 study was that statins used for people with cirrhosis might actually reduce liver failure and complications of liver failure such as portal hypertension.
The Effect of Statins on the Liver
The organization defines one alcohol unit as 10 milliliters (ml) or 8 grams (g) of pure alcohol. Liver disease that already exists may become much more serious if you combine a statin medication with alcohol. More human research is needed to determine how alcohol and statins can affect brain circulation.
Will mixing statins and alcohol cause side effects?
- In some cases, they may prescribe a lower dose of Lipitor for you.
- Some people taking statins who don’t have other underlying conditions may be able to drink small to moderate amounts of alcohol.
- The drug can interact with certain foods, other medications, and some supplements.
- If you’re currently consuming multiple drinks per day or feel that your alcohol intake is harming your physical and mental health, there are ways to get help.
- If you do experience more side effects than usual, your doctor may recommend a different birth control option for you.
People with acute liver disease should not be mixing alcohol and Lipitor at all. For some people taking statins, consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol may be safe. For people with coexisting conditions like liver disease, no amount of alcohol consumption may be safe. Some people taking statins who don’t have other underlying conditions may be able to drink small to moderate amounts of alcohol. Your doctor can determine whether alcohol consumption may be safe for you.Statins are usually safe and well-tolerated, but they are not without risk.
Since both alcohol and statin use may raise the risk of rhabdomyolysis, combining the two may lead to even greater risk. People who take statins and consume alcohol may experience side effects. Alcohol intake affects cholesterol levels differently depending on the level and frequency of intake. The relationship between alcohol and health is complicated and depends on many factors, including how much and how often you drink. Although you may think of cholesterol as unhealthy, it’s essential for your health. For example, it makes up the membrane surrounding your body’s cells and is necessary to produce vitamin D and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone (1).
By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. If you have questions about getting specific vaccines during your Lipitor treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They could occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, or even lab tests. Note that the information below does not include all other possible interactions with Lipitor.
Instead, the organization advises watching your weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to keep your cholesterol levels in check. Healthcare providers typically recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including exercising regularly and eating a heart-healthy diet, while taking Lipitor. Instead of drinking alcohol, you can eat a diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables, as well as high-fiber foods, to keep cholesterol levels in check during statin use. While light to moderate alcohol intake isn’t usually harmful, heavy alcohol use can cause severe effects. In fact, heavy alcohol use is one of the leading risk factors for disease burden worldwide, increasing the risk of certain cancers, liver disease, and heart disease (3).
Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol
But nearly all find that when they switch to a different statin, their symptoms resolve. Several years ago, the FDA recommended regular enzyme testing for statin patients. Yes, it’s likely safe to take Lipitor and sildenafil (Viagra) together. Lisinopril is used to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
If you take a statin medication, you should keep all appointments for laboratory monitoring of your liver, kidney, and heart function. Having higher levels of HDL cholesterol may help protect against heart disease and related death. Drug-induced liver disease is usually an how to tell if weeds laced autoimmune condition, in which the drug prompts some people’s bodies to make antibodies that attack their own liver tissue.
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If you have questions about taking NSAIDs with Lipitor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Be sure to talk with your doctor about any supplements you take along with Lipitor. They can determine if they may be safe to take during your Lipitor treatment. If you want to take Lipitor with birth control pills, talk with your doctor first. They may monitor you more closely for side effects from your birth control pills.
If you need to take an azole antifungal with Lipitor, your doctor may monitor you more closely for symptoms of side effects such as myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and liver problems. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that may interact with Lipitor. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section below.
They can determine how much caffeine may be safe during your treatment. Caffeine is present in certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, and tea. Before you start treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor what does being roofied feel like and pharmacist if you use cannabis.
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. Your doctor may recommend avoiding red yeast rice when you’re taking Lipitor. Red yeast rice and Lipitor work in similar ways to lower cholesterol levels.
Ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol if you take one of these medicines. People with liver conditions should not drink at all if they are taking statins. For people without liver issues, low to moderate alcohol consumption may be safe.
