Birmingham Live
·Jul 2026
Atorvastatin warning as NHS shares 'serious' side effects and when to 'call 111'
The NHS advises patients taking atorvastatin to be cautious about interactions with certain antibiotics, antifungals, HIV and hepatitis C medicines, blood pressure treatments, and other listed drugs due to an increased risk of serious side effects such as muscle damage. Common side effects include nausea, headaches and cold-like symptoms, while severe symptoms such as unexplained muscle pain, jaundice, rash, severe stomach pain, respiratory issues or neurological weakness require immediate medical attention. Guidance also covers interactions with supplements like St John’s wort and CoQ10, and recommends consulting healthcare professionals before making medication changes.