Can skipping Atorvastatin increase cholesterol?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have lost my prescription for Atorvastatin and have not been taking it for four days. I will get a new prescription tomorrow. I am currently on 10 mg per day. I am worried—will my cholesterol increase during this time since I have not been taking it?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns.

The half-life of Atorvastatin is 14 hours in humans, meaning the drug is eliminated from the body in about 14 hours. The main effect of Atorvastatin is to block the buildup and production of cholesterol in the body. It works in conjunction with other active ingredients, and its effect on cholesterol synthesis is maintained in the body for about 20 to 30 hours. In this case, missing a dose or two should not be a significant issue. Do not worry about it, but be sure to start taking the medication as soon as you get it back.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.