I was on Lipitor for several years with no side effects. After time it didn't seem as effective as it did at first but maybe I wasn't watching my diet as well. I know I wasn't exercising as much. I've been on 4 pills to lower cholesterol. Zocor gave me stomach pain, as though someone's fist was pushing into my stomach for a moment several times a day. I went on Provachol with no side effects. My doctor switched me to Lipitor because she thought it was more effective. I had no problems on Lipitor. I'm now on Crestor - 40 mg with no side effects. My brother has had problems taking statins. Some have no affect on his cholesterol and the ones that do help his cholesterol were effecting his liver. He's had a heart attack, bypass surgery and has changed his diet and exercises regularly and is doing fine and has found a statin that helps.