Can I Take Diclofenac with Atorvastatin? Understanding the Risks

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Approximately 36% of US adults were eligible for statin therapy between 1999 and 2018 [1.8.3]. If you're one of them, you might wonder, can I take diclofenac with atorvastatin for pain? This guide explains the potential risks of combining these common medications.

Quick Summary

Taking diclofenac with atorvastatin requires caution. The combination can increase the risk of serious muscle problems (myopathy) and may affect kidney function.

Key Points

Consult a Doctor: Always talk to your healthcare provider before combining atorvastatin and diclofenac due to potential risks [1.3.1].
Muscle Injury Risk: The primary concern is an increased risk of myopathy and the rare but severe condition, rhabdomyolysis [1.5.1, 1.7.3].
Kidney Health: Both drugs can affect the kidneys, and their combined use may increase the risk of renal complications [1.4.6, 1.5.3].
Monitor Symptoms: Watch for unexplained muscle pain, weakness, tenderness, or dark urine and report them to your doctor immediately [1.6.3].
Safer Alternatives: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often a safer pain relief option when taking statins, though dosage limits must be respected [1.6.2].
Short-Term Use: If approved by a doctor, use the lowest effective dose of diclofenac for the shortest possible duration to minimize side effects [1.4.3].
Cardiovascular Interaction: An animal study suggested diclofenac may negate the heart-protective benefits of atorvastatin [1.2.5].

The Roles of Diclofenac and Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin, sold under brand names like Lipitor, is a statin medication prescribed to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes [1.5.5]. It works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme in the liver that's crucial for cholesterol production [1.5.3]. Diclofenac, known by names like Voltaren, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation from conditions like arthritis [1.4.4, 1.4.3]. It functions by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which produce prostaglandins—substances that cause pain and swelling [1.4.5].

Can I Take Diclofenac with Atorvastatin?

While some drug interaction checkers state no direct interactions have been found, they uniformly advise consulting a healthcare provider before combining them [1.2.2, 1.3.1]. The primary concern is an elevated risk of muscle-related side effects and other potential complications. Medical guidance strongly suggests that combining statins with certain other drugs increases the likelihood of myopathy (muscle pain and weakness) and, in rare cases, rhabdomyolysis—a severe condition where muscle tissue breaks down, potentially leading to kidney failure [1.5.1, 1.7.3].

Potential Risks of Combining These Medications

Increased Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis: Statins like atorvastatin carry a known risk of causing muscle problems [1.5.6]. This risk can be heightened when taken with other medications [1.5.1]. The risk of rhabdomyolysis from statins alone is low, but it is a serious medical emergency [1.7.5]. Combining them with NSAIDs could potentially exacerbate this risk. Symptoms include unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fever, or dark-colored urine [1.6.3].
Kidney (Renal) Complications: Extended use of NSAIDs like diclofenac is associated with potential renal complications because they can decrease blood flow to the kidneys [1.4.6]. Atorvastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis can also lead to acute kidney injury [1.5.3]. Using both drugs together, especially in individuals with pre-existing kidney conditions, could increase the strain on the kidneys.
Cardiovascular Effects: One study in rats indicated that diclofenac completely canceled out the heart-protective effects of atorvastatin [1.2.5, 1.3.4]. While this is an animal study, it raises questions about whether taking diclofenac could interfere with the primary reason for taking atorvastatin.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Side Effects: Diclofenac, like other NSAIDs, increases the risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers, and other GI issues [1.4.3]. This risk is separate from atorvastatin but is a significant factor to consider when taking diclofenac for any length of time.

Comparison: Diclofenac vs. Atorvastatin


Feature	Diclofenac	Atorvastatin
Drug Class	Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) [1.4.4]	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) [1.5.5]
Primary Use	Pain and inflammation relief [1.4.3]	Lowering cholesterol and triglycerides [1.5.5]
Mechanism	Inhibits COX enzymes to reduce prostaglandins [1.4.5]	Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase to reduce cholesterol synthesis [1.5.2]
Common Side Effects	Abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, headache [1.4.1]	Diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, mild muscle pain [1.5.3]
Serious Risks	Heart attack, stroke, stomach bleeding, kidney problems [1.4.1, 1.4.3]	Rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown), liver problems [1.5.1]

Safer Pain Relief Options While on Atorvastatin

Given the potential risks, it's wise to consider alternatives for pain management. For many people taking statins, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often considered a safer choice for general pain relief because it has a different mechanism of action and does not carry the same risks as NSAIDs [1.6.2]. However, high doses of acetaminophen can cause liver damage, a risk also associated with atorvastatin, so it's crucial to stay within the recommended dosage [1.6.2]. For localized pain, topical diclofenac gel may present a lower risk as systemic absorption is minimal [1.4.2]. Always consult your doctor before starting any new pain reliever.

Conclusion

The decision to take diclofenac while on atorvastatin should not be taken lightly. Although not strictly forbidden, the combination elevates the risk of significant side effects, particularly severe muscle damage and potential kidney issues. The most prudent course of action is to speak with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your personal health profile, discuss the risks versus benefits, and recommend the safest and most effective plan for managing your pain without compromising the benefits of your statin therapy. Do not start or stop any medication without professional medical advice. For more information, you can consult authoritative sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions

The most critical signs are related to muscle problems. Watch for unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if accompanied by fever or dark-colored urine, as these could indicate rhabdomyolysis [1.6.3].

While the risk from a single dose is lower than with long-term use, it's not zero. It is always best to consult your healthcare provider even for short-term use to ensure it is safe for your specific situation [1.4.3, 1.3.1].

Some sources state there are no known direct interactions between ibuprofen and atorvastatin, but they still recommend consulting a doctor. The general risks associated with combining NSAIDs and statins, such as potential muscle and kidney issues, remain a consideration [1.6.2, 1.6.5].

Topical diclofenac is generally considered safer as it has minimal systemic absorption, reducing the risk of systemic side effects and interactions [1.4.2]. However, you should still discuss its use with your doctor [1.2.6].

Individuals at higher risk include those aged 65 or older, people with pre-existing kidney impairment or hypothyroidism, those on high doses of either medication, and those taking other interacting drugs [1.5.1].

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered a safer over-the-counter pain reliever to use with statins. However, you must not exceed the recommended daily dose, as high doses can cause liver damage, a risk also associated with atorvastatin [1.6.2].

There is some evidence from animal studies suggesting that diclofenac may cancel out the heart-protective benefits of atorvastatin. While not confirmed in humans, it's a potential concern to discuss with your doctor [1.2.5, 1.3.4].