At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. It’s also important to read Lipitor’s label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions.

High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks. But if you’d rather first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes. Medical history is replete with examples of therapeutics that, over time, offer only attenuated benefits and, consequently, more restricted indications. Digitalis, beta-blockers, and aspirin (for primary prevention) represent just a few examples.

Differential associations of CV risk with certain beverage types such as wine instead have been attributable to other lifestyle factors (e.g., increased physical activity) or drinking with meals (Malarcher et al. 2001). Several reports indicate that alcohol first exerts a seemingly positive effect, followed by a more negative impact (i.e., it is biphasic) on the endothelial–nitric oxide–generating system. Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of blood vessel damage and atherosclerosis, as well as a strong prognostic factor for future CV events (Deanfield et al. 2007; Ras et al. 2013). Low-to-moderate levels of alcohol consumption may initially improve endothelial function, whereas high daily levels and binge drinking may impair it. Results from another meta-analysis of 12 cohort studies found a similar dose–response relationship between alcohol consumption and HTN for males.

Cholesterol Medications and Alcohol: Can You Mix Them?

Dissecting the concrete effects of each type of alcoholic beverage has been hampered in epidemiological trials because of the lack of data, the associations with socioeconomic status, beverage quality, and drinking patterns, among other potential confounding factors. Greenfield and colleagues (2005) studied the effects of alcohol at meal time in a group of nonsmoking, healthy postmenopausal women. Each woman was given either no alcohol or 15 g of alcohol (1 standard drink) with either a low-carbohydrate or a high-carbohydrate, high-fat meal. The women’s metabolic measurements were then taken over the next 6 hours. The researchers found that the alcohol-drinking subjects (particularly those who were insulin sensitive) had higher insulin levels and a slower rise in glucose levels after a low-carb meal. They recommended confirming these results in younger women and in men, particularly since their subjects had been older women, who have more significant cardiovascular risk.

Lipitor interactions with other medications

The more you drink, the more your levels of cholesterol and triglycerides rise. As you might imagine, high levels of either type of this waxy fat are not exactly desirable for managing cholesterol or optimal health. The relationship between alcohol and health is complicated and depends on many factors, including how much and how often you drink. If you do plan to drink, check with your doctor first, and drink in moderation — (one glass of wine or beer a day for women, two for men). Some people, especially pregnant women, and those who take certain medicines regularly, should avoid alcohol entirely.

1. In humans, endothelial function is assessed by measuring the widening (i.e., dilation) of the brachial artery under different conditions.
2. The relationship between alcohol consumption and CVD appears in general terms biphasic, being protective at low and moderate amounts and detrimental at high intakes, even when occasionally consumed.
3. If you drink alcohol and are taking Lipitor, let your healthcare provider know.
4. Taking diltiazem with Lipitor can increase your risk of side effects from Lipitor.
5. If you already have a liver problem, taking Lipitor could worsen it.

When should I avoid Lipitor?

But, because the risk of liver damage is so rare, this is no longer the case. The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism means those who drink heavily could be at greater risk, however. As per evident ethical and logistical reasons, the main body of evidence relies on epidemiological studies of associative nature which carry several limitations such as the quantification of alcohol consumption.

Reduce your cholesterol

This is why heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and heart disease-related death (13, 14). Light to moderate alcohol drinking can raise HDL, but heavy drinking can increase total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides. It has several functions, including energy production and antioxidant effects.

Zetia is actually approved to be used with statin drugs such as Lipitor to lower cholesterol in certain adults. Before you start treatment with Lipitor, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you take cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Lipitor. However, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Lipitor treatment. If you take St. John’s Wort, be sure to tell your doctor before you begin taking Lipitor.

This article explains how alcohol intake affects cholesterol levels and heart health. In particular, red wine might offer the greatest benefit for lowering heart disease risk and death because it contains higher levels of natural plant chemicals — such as resveratrol — that have antioxidant properties and might protect artery walls. The doctor will also ask you how much alcohol you drink before prescribing statins. People who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol are at increased risk of getting more serious side effects. If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated.

Talk to your doctor first if you have more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks daily and you take a statin. Several studies and meta-analyses have been conducted to determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing heart failure in healthy subjects, as well as in those what are sunrocks weed with a history of MI or CHD. Studies also have examined the “safety” of alcoholic beverage consumption in subjects with heart failure.