Altocor

• Side effects may include:
  Back pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, headache, infection, injury, joint pain, muscle pain, sinus inflammation, unspecified pain, weakness

Why should Altocor not be prescribed?

Cholesterol is essential for developing babies, so Altocor must never be taken during pregnancy or when nursing an infant. You'll also need to avoid Altocor if you have active liver disease or the drug gives you an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Altocor

In rare cases, drugs such as Altocor cause rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition that destroys muscle cells and sometimes causes kidney failure. Alert your doctor immediately if you experience any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. You'll probably need to give up Altocor therapy.

Because Altocor may affect the liver, your doctor may order blood tests to check liver function. Blood tests will probably be done before you start taking this medication, at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after you start taking the drug, when your dosage is increased, and periodically after that (semi-annually). If the tests detect a significant problem, Altocor therapy will have to be stopped. You'll be monitored especially closely if you have a history of liver disease or drink substantial quantities of alcohol

If you have surgery or a major illness, you'll be told to stop taking Altocor until you get better.

Altocor is not recommended for individuals below age 20.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Altocor

If you take Altocor with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Altocor with any of the following:

• Antipyrine
• Blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin sodium
• Cimetidine
• Clarithromycin
• Cyclosporine
• Erythromycin
• Gemfibrozil
• HIV protease inhibitors such as amprenavir, nelfinavir mesylate, and ritonavir
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Spironolactone
• Nefazodone
• Nicotinic acid or niacin
• Verapamil