What to do if you accidentally took 2 Atorvastatin doses? (3+ ways to ensure proper use)

This article will discuss the potential risks of taking two Atorvastatin doses simultaneously. We will also discuss some ways to ensure the safe and effective use of Atorvastatin, an anti-cholesterol medication, to make the most out of it.

What to do if you accidentally took 2 Atorvastatin doses?

If you accidentally took 2 Atorvastatin doses and you feel unusual, please reach out to your healthcare provider. Generally, taking one extra dose of Atorvastatin is not likely to harm you significantly or lead to any disturbing consequences (1).

However, people are different and can respond differently to minor overdoses. It is important to look out for the side effects associated with Atorvastatin if you accidentally took an extra dose and seek medical attention if necessary. 

What are the side effects associated with taking 2 Atorvastatin doses?

Taking 2 Atorvastatin doses can cause some side effects, although it does not lead to any dangerous consequences. These side effects may include (2)(3):

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhoea
• Confusion
• Joint pain
• Bloating
• Forgetfulness 

Atorvastatin may cause some serious or rare side effects, including:

• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Weakness
• bleeding or bruising
• Upper abdomen pain
• Allergic reactions – rash, itching, blisters, redness, burning sensation on the skin.
• Swelling in various parts of the body
• Difficulty in breathing

These side effects vary from person to person, depending on the dosage strength of Atorvastatin taken twice. Overdosing on low Atorvastatin doses, like 10 mg, will not affect you and you may not even feel a thing. 

What are the dosage recommendations for Atorvastatin?

Following are the dosage recommendations for Atorvastatin (1)(2):

**HeFH: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, HoFH: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Taking two 10-20 mg Atorvastatin is not associated with disturbing side effects as it would still fall under the maximum daily dosage recommendation – which is 80 mg. Even for someone who takes 40 mg, taking a double dose would not exceed the maximum daily dose.

This is why it is not considered a health hazard – an extra dose of Atorvastatin. However, it can increase the risk of side effects that we have mentioned in the previous section, especially if your daily dose is more than 40 mg.

What to do if you forget to take your Atorvastatin?

If you forgot to take Atorvastatin on time, take it as soon as you remember. If a lot of time has passed and your next dose is just around the corner, skip the missed dose and take the next one on time (1).

This is because taking two doses close to each other can result in an increased concentration of the drug in your body than intended, which can increase the risk of side effects. If you are not sure whether or not you have taken your medication, try to remember.

Check if the medication has moved from where you usually keep it. The best way to avoid such confusion is to keep a pill box. This helps prevent accidental double dosing. 

How to ensure the safe and effective use of Atorvastatin?

Some important points to ensure the safe and effective use of Atorvastatin include (2):

• Take Atorvastatin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Try to take your dose at the same time each day.
• Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to ensure that you’re taking the right dose.
• Inform your doctor about all the medications you take to avoid any possible drug-drug interaction.
• Atorvastatin, and other statins like Simvastatin, Pravastatin, etc can be crushed if you find it difficult to swallow them. However, it’s best to discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist first.
• Limit or avoid the use of alcohol.
• Keep an eye out for the side effects. Talk to your doctor if anything concerns you.
• Store Atorvastatin properly.

Conclusion 

In this article, we have discussed the potential risks of taking two Atorvastatin doses simultaneously. We have also discussed dosage recommendations for Atorvastatin and how one can ensure the safe and effective use of this medication.

References