Can I Take Turmeric / Curcumin with Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

YES, it is safe to take turmeric in the diet if you are on atorvastatin. However, when taking supplemental doses of turmeric or curcumin, it is better to maintain a gap of 3-4 hours between taking the two.

Turmeric and Atorvastatin, both work in a similar manner to lower lipid levels in the body. Turmeric is safer and more efficient than atorvastatin. It also has the ability to alleviate the side effects of this drug.

If planning on taking both turmeric and Atorvastatin together, the dosage of both these agents should be formulated carefully by consulting with a health practitioner.

This is because both lower cholesterol levels and taking them along may have an added therapeutic effect.

Read: How Turmeric can help in High Cholesterol

Turmeric with Atorvastatin – Possible Drug Interaction?

Let us have a detailed scientific outlook on these facts.

1. Turmeric and atorvastatin both lower lipid levels

Turmeric and its compound curcumin are natural lipid-lowering agents without any toxic effects.[1]

Its mode of action is similar to statins, the group of drugs used to treat hyperlipidemia, and to which atorvastatin belongs. Both curcumin and statins target the same pathways in the body to lower lipid levels.[2]

A study conducted on 64 individuals with coronary heart disease states that after 6 weeks, both turmeric and atorvastatin significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol concentration.[3]

Additionally, a herbal formulation containing turmeric was found to maintain favourable lipid levels, which was comparable to the effect of atorvastatin.[4]

This proves the efficacy and potential of turmeric as an adjuvant to atorvastatin treatment.

In the golden paste, turmeric is often taken with black pepper. This is because black pepper contains piperine, which improves the bioavailability of turmeric. [5]

It is a potent bioenhancer which can also enhance the absorption of drugs by the body. [6]

Studies have shown that piperine from black pepper can also improve lipid profile by lowering plasma lipid levels while elevating HDL-cholesterol.[7]

Therefore, taking turmeric or golden paste as an add-on to atorvastatin might help in reducing the dose of the drug and its possible side effects. Turmeric can be used as an effective adjuvant in treating hypercholesterolemia with atorvastatin.[8]

There are hardly any studies which report the adverse effects of taking turmeric or black pepper with atorvastatin. On the contrary, nanoformulations containing both curcumin and atorvastatin have been developed for better results in atherosclerosis.[9]

Also, herbal formulations consisting of piperine have been proven to be safe for consumption with many drugs including atorvastatin.[10]

Dietary consumption of turmeric is safe. However, there are some studies which show that turmeric and black pepper may interfere with drug metabolism and absorption. [11] [12]

Thus, to avoid any possible food-drug interactions, a gap of 3-4 hours is advised when taking atorvastatin with turmeric or curcumin supplements.

2. Turmeric is safe and reduces the side effects of atorvastatin

Atrovastatin intake is associated with the occurrence of many side effects of which joint pain, muscle pain, myopathy, liver problems, and diabetes are the most common.[13]

Studies showing the efficacy of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels report that they are well-tolerated and safe without any severe side effects.[14]

Moreover, curcumin is capable of alleviating the side effects posed by atorvastatin use.

Consumption of curcumin with atorvastatin can reduce the biomarkers of muscle toxicity and other muscle-related symptoms which occur when atorvastatin is taken alone.[15]

Curcumin can reduce muscle inflammation, pain, toxicity, muscular atrophy, muscle soreness and regenerate damaged muscle fibres, all of which occur as a side effect of statin consumption.[16]

It also has beneficial effects in the prevention of diabetes and liver protection.[17] [18]

Thus, it can be said that taking turmeric in addition to atorvastatin for lowering cholesterol is beneficial for health and may provide better outcomes.

How to Take Turmeric?

If you are new to turmeric, here is a quick guide for you on how to go about including it.

It is best to take turmeric powder and make it part of your diet.

Two best ways to do so is Turmeric Paste (recipe here) and Turmeric milk (recipe here).

Turmeric as a spice is very safe but better start with low dosages of 1/4 tsp per day and then increase. You can take up to 1 tsp and more without any issues.  Read: Ideal Turmeric Dosage

There are a few situations when some precautions need to be taken while taking turmeric (especially in large quantities). Here is a quick article on that – Possible Turmeric Side effects

The market is full of great turmeric brands, if you are confused which one to take, here is a quick guide for you along with some recommended brands from our side. Read: Recommended Turmeric Brands

In case you plan to take turmeric/curcumin supplements, here is a quick guide to types of supplements and also list of best turmeric supplements brands 

Have you taken turmeric along with Atorvastatin? if yes, please share your feedback on the same. Thousands of others will benefit from it.