Atorvastatin dosage guide: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg tablets

What is considered a low-dose statin?

Several statin medications are available that doctors may prescribe at a low dose. Regardless of the specific statin, doctors typically start treatment by prescribing a low dose. Then, they may adjust it over time to reach the amount that provides the desired effect. For example, a low dose of atorvastatin is 10 mg but the dose range is 10 mg to 80 mg. In addition to atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq), other statins doctors may prescribe include:, rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), pravastatin (Pravachol), fluvastatin (Lescol XL), lovastatin (Altoprev), pitavastatin (Livalo, Zypitamag), But because they have different active ingredients, a low dose of one statin isn’t comparable to a low dose of another statin. If you have questions about the statin and dosage that are right for you, talk with your doctor.

What is considered a high dose of atorvastatin?

A high dose of atorvastatin tablet is usually considered to be 40 mg or 80 mg. In fact, 80 mg per day is the maximum recommended dosage of atorvastatin., Doctors may prescribe these higher statin doses for people who need more intensive cholesterol management. This may include people with certain health conditions or more risk factors for heart problems. If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Key takeaways

• Atorvastatin tablets are available in four strengths, ranging from 10 milligrams (mg) to 80 mg, with most adults starting at 10 mg or 20 mg taken once per day. Doctors adjust atorvastatin dosage based on how well it lowers cholesterol and reduces heart disease risk.
• Atorvastatin lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. It is used in people with different types of high cholesterol, including inherited and non-inherited conditions. When used with a heart-healthy diet, it can also help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain people.
• Children ages 10 years and older with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can take atorvastatin, typically starting at a dosage of 10 mg once per day. Atorvastatin dosage for children may be increased up to 80 mg per day, depending on their specific type of inherited cholesterol condition.

Atorvastatin is a generic prescription drug used to treat certain inherited types of high cholesterol, including:

• primary hyperlipidemia in adults
• primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (a condition that often leads to high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides) in adults
• high triglycerides in adults
• familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in adults and children ages 10 years and older

Atorvastatin comes as an oral tablet that is typically taken once per day, and it works primarily by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

Atorvastatin tablet is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of:

• heart-related problems (such as heart attack), angina (chest pain), the need for certain heart procedures, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure in adults who have coronary artery disease (CAD)
• heart-related problems, chest pain, and the need for certain heart procedures in adults who have several risk factors for CAD
• heart-related problems in adults who have type 2 diabetes and risk factors for CAD

Atorvastatin belongs to a drug class called statins. It has the same active ingredient and is based on the brand-name drug Lipitor.

This article describes typical dosages of atorvastatin tablet provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking atorvastatin, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

This article describes typical dosages of atorvastatin oral tablet provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.

Atorvastatin strengths

Atorvastatin oral tablet comes in four strengths:

• 10 milligrams (mg)
• 20 mg
• 40 mg
• 80 mg

The dosage of atorvastatin tablet that doctors prescribe depends on the indication(s) it’s being used for and other factors. Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects of atorvastatin that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Dosage for high cholesterol

Doctors may prescribe atorvastatin tablet to lower LDL cholesterol in people with certain inherited forms of high cholesterol. It’s approved as part of a treatment plan including a heart-healthy diet. The drug may be taken alone or with other drugs.

If your doctor prescribes atorvastatin, your starting dose will likely be 10 mg or 20 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once per day. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a starting dosage of 40 mg once per day. The dosage range for atorvastatin is 10 mg to 80 mg once per day.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage to lower the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions

Atorvastatin tablet is also approved to help lower the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions. It’s approved for this use as part of a treatment plan including a heart-healthy diet. The drug may be taken alone or with other drugs.

The recommended dosage is the same as the dosage for high cholesterol. You’ll take 10 mg to 80 mg once per day.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Atorvastatin tablet is approved to treat familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in children ages 10 years and older. It is approved for this use as part of a treatment plan that includes a heart-healthy diet. It may be taken alone or with other drugs.

Atorvastatin tablet dosage in children depends on the type of FH being treated: heterozygous FH (HeFH) or homozygous FH (HoFH).

For HeFH, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg once per day. In some cases, the doctor may increase your child’s dosage to 20 mg once per day.

For HoFH, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg to 20 mg once per day. The typical dosing range for HoFH is 10 mg to 80 mg.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

You’ll take atorvastatin tablet by mouth once per day. You may take your dose with or without food.

It is a good idea to take atorvastatin around the same time of day each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so it can work most effectively.

If you have questions about how to take atorvastatin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Atorvastatin tablet is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine it is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Several statin medications are available that doctors may prescribe at a low dose. Regardless of the specific statin, doctors typically start treatment by prescribing a low dose. Then, they may adjust it over time to reach the amount that provides the desired effect. For example, a low dose of atorvastatin is 10 mg but the dose range is 10 mg to 80 mg. In addition to atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq), other statins doctors may prescribe include:

• rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• simvastatin (Zocor)
• pravastatin (Pravachol)
• fluvastatin (Lescol XL)
• lovastatin (Altoprev)
• pitavastatin (Livalo, Zypitamag)

But because they have different active ingredients, a low dose of one statin isn’t comparable to a low dose of another statin. If you have questions about the statin and dosage that are right for you, talk with your doctor.

A high dose of atorvastatin tablet is usually considered to be 40 mg or 80 mg. In fact, 80 mg per day is the maximum recommended dosage of atorvastatin.

Doctors may prescribe these higher statin doses for people who need more intensive cholesterol management. This may include people with certain health conditions or more risk factors for heart problems. If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take more atorvastatin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose. Learn about atorvastatin side effects.

If you take more than the recommended amount of atorvastatin

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much atorvastatin. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Atorvastatin is a generic prescription medicine, better known by the brand name Lipitor, that helps lower high cholesterol and protects the heart. It belongs to a group of drugs called statins, which work by reducing “bad” cholesterol and fats in the blood to prevent serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. Most adults start with a small dose of 10 milligrams (mg) or 20 mg once per day, but a doctor might increase that amount up to 80 mg if someone needs more help managing their health. Atorvastatin is usually taken as a long-term treatment along with a heart-healthy diet. It is important to take the exact amount of atorvastatin your doctor prescribes and to report any side effects like muscle pain or dizziness.

Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.