About Lipitor Side Effects on the Liver

Lipitor, the brand name for the generic drug atorvastatin, is prescribed by physicians for people with dangerously high cholesterol levels when diet and lifestyle changes have not solved the problem. Manufactured by Pfizer, Lipitor is in a class of drugs called statins, which can cause liver problems in some people. These side effects generally affect less than 2 percent of Lipitor users.

Function

• Statins block an enzyme in the liver that is necessary for producing cholesterol.

Enzymes

• Statins can cause liver enzymes to become elevated. People taking the drug are advised to have routine blood tests to check the enzyme level. If it does become elevated, the level usually returns to normal when the patient stops using Lipitor.

Hepatitis

• Some people using Lipitor develop hepatitis, a liver inflammation that can cause fatigue and malaise.

Jaundice

• Lipitor also can cause jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes or skin, another issue related to the liver.

Caution

• Because of these possible side effects, people with liver disease should not use Lipitor, and any Lipitor user who drinks alcohol have regular blood tests to check liver enzyme levels.