What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Atorvastatin and niacin
Atorvastatin's FDA label of April 15, 2024 names niacin in its drug interactions section; niacin's label does not name atorvastatin itself but warns about its class (Statins). The atorvastatin label: “Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been observed with concomitant use of lipid modifying dosages of niacin (≥1 gram/day niacin) with LIPITOR.”
Check it at the source: the atorvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2024, Viatris Specialty LLC); the niacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 14, 2023, Aurobindo Pharma Limited).
What does the atorvastatin label say about niacin?
Atorvastatin label, drug interactionsNiacin Clinical Impact: Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been observed with concomitant use of lipid modifying dosages of niacin (≥1 gram/day niacin) with LIPITOR. Intervention: Consider if the benefit of using lipid modifying dosages of niacin concomitantly with LIPITOR outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. If concomitant use is decided, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of myopathy particularly during initiation of therapy and during …
Atorvastatin label, warnings and precautionsCases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been reported with atorvastatin co-administered with lipid modifying doses (>1 gram/day) of niacin, fibrates, colchicine, and ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Atorvaliq, NDA213260), CMP Pharma, Inc., effective April 27, 2024 (SPL set 41fca2d8-7f3f-45b9-8974-81b89accc211), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Lipitor), NDA020702 (Upjohn), as published by Viatris Specialty LLC, effective April 15, 2024 (SPL set a60cc18b-0631-4cf0-b021-9f52224ece65), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the niacin label say about atorvastatin?
Niacin's label does not name atorvastatin itself; it warns about its class (Statins):
Niacin label, drug interactionsCaution should be used when prescribing niacin with statins as these agents can increase risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.
Niacin label, drug interactionsCaution should be used when prescribing niacin (≥1 gm/day) with statins as these drugs can increase risk of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug label (Niacin), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective February 14, 2023 (SPL set 43233a21-3f90-4c69-bbeb-f50d5f2d35ae), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Atorvastatin | Niacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol, Angina, High triglycerides, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High cholesterol, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High triglycerides |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0228 per tablet 10 mg tablet | $0.193 per tablet 500 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once