Lipitor and alcohol

[Jay Hirsch]

I am a 54 year old male, in excellent physical conditon...except for high cholesterol...240. I excercise intensely 3-4 times a week and have a pretty much normal lifestyle..including moderate( depending upon your definition) drinking. 3-4 beers or mixed drinks, 3-4 days out of the week.



My doctor just put me on Lipitor( 10mg) and my level went to 150 in just two months. Here is the rub...he didn't realize how much I drink and now tells me I have to cut way back to protect my liver. My obvious question is..how real is the conection between

Lipitor, drinking and liver damage?  Are there any real guidelines on how much I can drink ?  Also..if a blood test showed liver problems in a few years from now...would they " heal " if I stopped taking lipitor?



Appreciate your opinion.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Jay,

In general there are no hard and fast guidelines for drinking and taking Lipitor. Usually moderate consumption is OK.  Moderate alcohol consumption is considered 2 drinks a day and binge drinking is 5 or more drinks in a day, so you are somewhere in-between those two.



One of the main potential side effect of lipitor is an elevation of liver enzymes which can also be elevated by alcohol.  In any case they the enzymes need to be followed and if elevated to a certain level the lipitor (and alcohol) stopped.  Usually the enzymes will recover to normal with the stoppage. Of course we always recommend you follow your doctor's advice for your specific situation.