The prescribed dosage for atorvastatin may vary depending on a person’s treatment plan. Factors such as your medical history and age may affect your dosage of atorvastatin.

Atorvastatin is used to:

Atorvastatin belongs to a drug class called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Atorvastatin is available in a brand-name version.

This article describes the dosages of atorvastatin, its strengths, and how to take it. For a detailed overview of this drug, check out this in-depth atorvastatin article.

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for atorvastatin. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from what’s described here.

Atorvastatin form

Atorvastatin is available as an oral tablet.

Atorvastatin strengths

Atorvastatin comes in several strengths:

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

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Atorvastatin is approved to reduce several heart-related risks, lower LDL-C, treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia, and treat high triglycerides. (See the beginning of this article for full details on these uses.)

The recommended atorvastatin dosage for adults with these conditions is as follows:

  • Starting dosage for reducing heart-related risks, treating primary dysbetalipoproteinemia, treating high triglycerides, and lowering LDL-C if you require a reduction of 45% or less: 10 mg to 20 mg once daily
  • Starting dosage for lowering LDL-C if you require a reduction greater than 45% if you have primary hyperlipidemia, HeFH, or HoFH: 40 mg once daily
  • Maintenance (routine) dosage for all adult uses: range is 10 mg to 80 mg once daily

When appropriate, your doctor will check your LDL-C levels. They’ll do this typically 4 weeks after you start treatment with atorvastatin. Based on these results, they may adjust your dosage.

Along with atorvastatin treatment for certain conditions, your doctor will have other recommendations. The conditions and the recommendations are:

  • Lowering LDL-C if you have primary hyperlipidemia or HeFH: use along with changes in diet
  • Lowering LDL-C if you have HoFH: use atorvastatin alone or along with other therapies to lower LDL-C
  • Treating primary dysbetalipoproteinemia or high triglycerides: use along with changes in diet

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Atorvastatin is used to lower LDL-C in children ages 10 years and older who also have HeFH or HoFH. The dosages are described below.

If you’d like more information about atorvastatin’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

With HeFH

The recommended atorvastatin dosage for lowering LDL-C if the child has HeFH is:

  • Starting dosage: 10 mg once daily
  • Maintenance (routine) dosage: range is 10 mg to 20 mg once daily

For this use, your child’s doctor will also recommend changes in diet along with atorvastatin treatment.

When appropriate, your child’s doctor will check your child’s LDL-C levels. They’ll do this typically 4 weeks after your child starts treatment with atorvastatin. Based on these results, they may adjust your child’s dosage.

With HoFH

The recommended atorvastatin dosage for lowering LDL-C if the child has HoFH is:

  • Starting dosage: 10 to 20 mg once daily
  • Maintenance (routine) dosage: range is 10 mg to 80 mg once daily

For this use, your child’s doctor may use atorvastatin treatment alone. Or they may use it along with other therapies to lower LDL-C.

When appropriate, your child’s doctor will check your child’s LDL-C levels. They’ll do this typically 4 weeks after your child starts treatment with atorvastatin. Based on these results, they may adjust your child’s dosage.

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you specific instructions for taking atorvastatin. Typically, recommendations for taking atorvastatin include:

  • Take your tablet once daily at any time of the day.
  • You may take your doses with or without food.

How long do you take atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is usually a long-term treatment. You and your doctor can discuss whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll likely take it long term once you reach your maintenance dose.

Do not take more atorvastatin than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much atorvastatin

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much atorvastatin. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.