From the FDA Drug Label
Atorvastatin calcium tablets, USP for oral administration contain atorvastatin 10,20,40, or 80 mg (equivalent to 11,22,44 or 88 mg atorvastatin calcium)
The amount of calcium in Lipitor (atorvastatin) is as follows:
- 10 mg of atorvastatin contains 11 mg of atorvastatin calcium
- 20 mg of atorvastatin contains 22 mg of atorvastatin calcium
- 40 mg of atorvastatin contains 44 mg of atorvastatin calcium
- 80 mg of atorvastatin contains 88 mg of atorvastatin calcium 1
From the Research
Lipitor (atorvastatin) does not contain calcium in a form that provides a meaningful source of elemental calcium for nutritional purposes. The "calcium" in atorvastatin calcium refers to the chemical formulation of the drug, where calcium is used to stabilize the atorvastatin molecule, as discussed in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. This is different from calcium supplements or dietary calcium that would contribute to your daily calcium intake. Some studies have reported cases of hypercalcemia associated with atorvastatin use 2, 4, but this is not related to the calcium content of the drug itself. If you're concerned about your calcium intake for bone health or other reasons, you should obtain calcium from dietary sources like dairy products or specific calcium supplements rather than relying on medications like Lipitor. Key points to consider:
- Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
- The "calcium" in atorvastatin calcium is a salt form of the drug and does not provide a meaningful source of elemental calcium.
- Calcium supplements or dietary calcium are necessary for daily calcium intake.
- If you have questions about calcium supplementation while taking Lipitor, it's best to consult with your healthcare provider, especially in light of potential effects on calcium levels as noted in some cases 2, 4.