Can You Take Tums With Lipitor?

Answer

You are correct that antacids, like Tums, can interact with many different medications, decreasing their absorption.

In regard to Lipitor, studies have shown that antacids can decrease the absorption of the drug, but it doesn't appear as though this significantly changes how well it works to lower cholesterol. In fact, even though this interaction exists, most online drug interaction checkers don't list an interaction here since it likely isn't clinically significant.

The prescribing information for Lipitor states the following:

Co-administration of atorvastatin [Lipitor] with an oral antacid suspension containing magnesium and aluminum hydroxides decreased atorvastatin plasma concentrations (ratio of AUC: 0.66); however, LDL-C [i.e., 'bad cholesterol'] reduction was not altered.

How To Manage This Interaction

Even though this interaction doesn't seem to be clinically significant, if you want to avoid it, you should take Lipitor at least 2 hours before, or 4 hours after antacids, like Tums.

This will allow enough time for Lipitor to be absorbed without being affected by an antacid altering the acidity of the stomach.

Final Words

Thanks for your question and reach back out anytime!