Atorvastatin & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Atorvaliq. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Atorvastatin has been associated with depletion of COENZYME Q10 and L-CARNITINE. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Atorvastatin long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Atorvastatin pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Atorvastatin
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
COENZYME Q10
Insufficient EvidenceHMG-CoA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS ("Statins")
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors can reduce serum coenzyme Q10 levels. They block the synthesis of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor of coenzyme Q10, in a dose-dependent manner. Taking atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 30 days reduces coenzyme Q10 serum levels by 52%, but atorvastatin 10 mg daily or pravastatin 20 mg daily do not have this effect in healthy people. In other research, taking simvastatin 20 mg daily for 4 weeks reduces serum coenzyme Q10 levels by about 32%, but muscle levels increase by 47%. Since coenzyme Q10 is transported with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reduction in LDL cholesterol levels by a statin may increase the amount of free coenzyme Q10 in the blood that is available for uptake into muscles. There is no reliable evidence that statin adverse effects such as myopathy are linked to reduced coenzyme Q10 levels in the blood, or that taking coenzyme Q10 supplements reduces statin side effects.
Coenzyme Q10 is a compound your cells use to produce energy, and it happens to be made through the same biological pathway that atorvastatin blocks to lower cholesterol. Because of that overlap, higher doses of atorvastatin have been shown to reduce coenzyme Q10 levels in the blood, though interestingly, muscle levels may not drop in the same way. Right now there is not enough reliable evidence to know whether this blood-level change actually causes any harm, so most people do not need to act on this. If you are curious or have questions about muscle symptoms, it is worth bringing up with your pharmacist or doctor.
What Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) does & food sources
CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and acts as an antioxidant; heart and muscle tissue use it heavily.
Common food sources:
- Organ meats and fatty fish
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
There is no routine blood test for CoQ10 in everyday practice. If you have new, unexplained muscle symptoms on a medication linked to CoQ10 (statins are the best-known example), talk to your prescriber before changing anything — symptoms have many possible causes and your prescriber has several options.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
CoQ10 is generally well tolerated, but evidence for supplementing (for example, for statin muscle symptoms) is mixed. It may also modestly affect warfarin — check with your pharmacist before combining.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Do not stop a prescribed medication because of this association — discuss any symptoms with your prescriber first.
Learn more about this nutrient: Coenzyme Q10 — uses, safety & interactions
References (12)
- Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1990;87:8931-4. PubMed
- Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, et al. Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1997;18:S137-44. PubMed
- Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al. Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: A double blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Pharmacol 1993;33:226-9. PubMed
- De Pinieux G, Chariot P, Ammi-Said M, et al. Lipid-lowering drugs and mitochondrial function: Effects of HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitors on serum ubiquinone and blood lactate/pyruvate ratio. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1996;42:333-7. PubMed
- Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, et al. Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1994;15:187-93. PubMed
- Watts GF, Castelluccio C, Rice-Evans C, et al. Plasma coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) concentrations in patients treated with simvastatin. J Clin Pathol 1993;46:1055-7.
- Hanaki Y, Sugiyama S, Ozawa T, et al. Coenzyme Q10 and coronary artery disease. Clin Investig 1993;71:112-5. PubMed
- Berthold HK, Naini A, Di Mauro S, et al. Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial. Drug Saf 2006;29:703-12. PubMed
- Fuke C, Krikorian SA, Couris RR. Coenzyme Q10: A review of essential functions and clinical trials. US Pharm 2000;25:28-41.
- Bleske BE, Willis RA, Anthony M, et al. The effect of pravastatin and atorvastatin on coenzyme Q10. Am Heart J 2001;142:E2. PubMed
- Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, et al. Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arch Neurol 2004;61:889-92.. PubMed
- Laaksonen R, Jokelainen K, Sahi T, et al. Decreases in serum ubiquinone concentrations do not result in reduced levels in muscle tissue during short-term simvastatin treatment in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;57:62-6. PubMed
L-CARNITINE
Insufficient EvidenceATORVASTATIN (Lipitor)
In clinical research, taking atorvastatin 10 mg daily for 5 months reduced seminal fluid levels of L-carnitine. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear.
L-carnitine is a compound your body uses to help turn fat into energy, and it also plays a role in sperm health and function. One small study found that atorvastatin lowered L-carnitine levels in seminal fluid, though researchers aren't sure exactly why this happens or whether it matters clinically. Because the evidence is very limited right now, this is more of a 'keep an eye on it' finding than a reason to worry. If you have specific concerns, it's worth bringing up with your doctor or pharmacist.
What Carnitine does & food sources
Carnitine shuttles fatty acids into cells' mitochondria so they can be burned for energy.
Common food sources:
- Red meat (the richest source)
- Poultry and fish
- Dairy products
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Carnitine questions come up with specific medications (for example, valproic acid) and specific situations — this is a conversation for your prescriber, who can weigh testing or supplementation.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Carnitine supplements are usually reserved for clinician-identified situations rather than general use.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Learn more about this nutrient: L-carnitine — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Pons-Rejraji H, Brugnon F, Sion B, Maqdasy S, Gouby G, Pereira B, Marceau G, Gremeau AS, Drevet J, Grizard G, Janny L, Tauveron I. Evaluation of torvastatin efficacy and toxicity on spermatozoa, accessory glands and gonadal hormones of healthy men: a pilo
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Atorvastatin
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Atorvastatin & nutrients: FAQs
Does Atorvastatin deplete COENZYME Q10?
Should I take a supplement because I take Atorvastatin?
Should I stop taking Atorvastatin?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Atorvastatin and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Atorvastatin are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.