Known interactions between the following drugs: Dilantin, Lipitor

Although the exact causes of this interaction are not understood fully, phenytoin appears to increase the breakdown of atorvastatin by the liver. As a result, blood levels of atorvastatin could decrease. No serious side effects are associated with this interaction, but the atorvastatin may not work as well to lower cholesterol. Inform your doctor if you are taking phenytoin and atorvastatin at the same time. Your doctor may want to check your cholesterol levels more often. If the atorvastatin does not appear to be working adequately, your doctor may consider using a different cholesterol-lowering drug that is not affected as much by phenytoin. You may want to ask your healthcare provider about this potential interaction if you think you are having problems.