Your high cholesterol levels can be affectively treated by Lipitor - atorvastatin. It is generally safe and poses no life threatening hazards. It is always best however to know the possible side effects of Lipitor so that you will be better informed on how to manage it correctly.

Side effects normally occur when taking drug medication. The most important thing to do is to carefully manage these side effects. Just be alert on any unusual feeling that you may experience after taking the drug and immediately inform your doctor about it.

The most common side effect is muscle pain and weakness, a condition called rhabdomyolysis, most likely due to the depletion of Co-Q10, a nutrient that supports muscle function. The test for muscle wasting or rhabdomyolysis is elevated levels of a chemical called creatine kinase (CK). But many people experience pain and fatigue even though they have normal CK levels.

Active people are much more likely to develop problems from statin (Lipitor) use than those who are sedentary. In a study, only six out of 22 athletes with familial hypercholesterolemia were able to endure statin treatment. The others discontinued treatment because of muscle pain.