What are the primary uses of Lipitor. How does atorvastatin work to lower cholesterol. What are the most common side effects of Lipitor. How should Lipitor be taken for optimal effectiveness. What precautions should be considered when using atorvastatin. How does Lipitor interact with other medications and substances. What are the potential risks and benefits of taking Lipitor long-term.

Understanding Lipitor: A Powerful Cholesterol-Lowering Medication

Lipitor, also known by its generic name atorvastatin, is a widely prescribed medication belonging to the class of drugs called statins. It plays a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. But what exactly is Lipitor, and how does it work?

Atorvastatin works by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is responsible for cholesterol production in the liver. By reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the body, Lipitor effectively lowers the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood while simultaneously increasing the levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL).

Key Benefits of Lipitor

• Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
• Increases HDL cholesterol
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Helps prevent strokes and heart attacks
• Can be used in combination with lifestyle changes for optimal results

While Lipitor is primarily known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, its benefits extend far beyond just improving lipid profiles. By reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, it plays a vital role in preventive cardiology and has been shown to improve overall health outcomes in patients with or at risk of heart disease.

Proper Usage and Dosing Guidelines for Lipitor

Ensuring the correct usage of Lipitor is crucial for maximizing its benefits while minimizing potential side effects. How should patients take this medication to achieve optimal results?

Lipitor is typically prescribed as a once-daily oral medication. It can be taken with or without food, which offers flexibility for patients with different lifestyles and dietary habits. The standard dosage is often 20mg, but this can vary based on individual patient needs and medical conditions.

Important Dosing Instructions

1. Take Lipitor at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels
2. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage carefully
3. Do not adjust your dose without consulting your healthcare provider
4. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to your next scheduled dose
5. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one

It’s important to note that the full benefits of Lipitor may not be immediately apparent. It can take up to 4 weeks for the medication to reach its maximum effectiveness in lowering cholesterol levels. Therefore, patience and consistency in taking the medication as prescribed are key to achieving the desired outcomes.

Potential Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Like all medications, Lipitor can cause side effects in some patients. While many people tolerate the drug well, it’s essential to be aware of potential adverse reactions. What are the most common side effects of Lipitor, and how can they be managed?

Common side effects of Lipitor include:

• Muscle pain or weakness
• Headache
• Digestive issues (nausea, diarrhea, constipation)
• Joint pain
• Insomnia

These side effects are usually mild and often resolve on their own as the body adjusts to the medication. However, if they persist or become bothersome, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider. They may suggest adjusting the dosage or trying alternative strategies to manage these effects.

In rare cases, Lipitor can cause more serious side effects, such as liver problems or a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which involves the breakdown of muscle tissue. Symptoms of these serious side effects may include:

• Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• Fever or unusual tiredness
• Dark-colored urine
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Upper right abdominal pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor may need to adjust your treatment plan or consider alternative medications.

Interactions with Other Medications and Substances

Understanding how Lipitor interacts with other medications and substances is crucial for ensuring its effectiveness and minimizing potential risks. What should patients be aware of when taking Lipitor alongside other treatments?

Lipitor can interact with various medications and substances, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Some notable interactions include:

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: Can increase the concentration of Lipitor in the blood, potentially leading to side effects
• Certain antibiotics: May increase the risk of muscle-related side effects
• Cyclosporine: Can increase Lipitor levels in the body
• Gemfibrozil and other fibrates: May increase the risk of muscle problems when combined with Lipitor
• Warfarin and other blood thinners: Lipitor may enhance their effects, requiring closer monitoring

It’s essential to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you’re taking to avoid potential interactions. This includes over-the-counter medications and natural remedies, as these can also interact with Lipitor in some cases.

Alcohol Consumption and Lipitor

While moderate alcohol consumption is generally considered safe for most Lipitor users, excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk of liver problems. It’s advisable to limit alcohol consumption and discuss your drinking habits with your healthcare provider to ensure safe use of the medication.

Lifestyle Modifications to Enhance Lipitor’s Effectiveness

While Lipitor is a powerful tool in managing cholesterol levels, its effectiveness can be significantly enhanced when combined with appropriate lifestyle changes. What lifestyle modifications can patients make to optimize the benefits of Lipitor?

Incorporating the following lifestyle changes can complement the effects of Lipitor and contribute to overall cardiovascular health:

1. Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Focus on foods low in saturated fats and high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
2. Regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week
3. Maintain a healthy weight: Losing excess weight can help improve cholesterol levels and reduce the strain on your heart
4. Quit smoking: Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease
5. Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high cholesterol levels and heart disease

By combining these lifestyle modifications with Lipitor therapy, patients can often achieve better results in managing their cholesterol levels and reducing their risk of cardiovascular events. It’s important to discuss these changes with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and health status.

Long-Term Use of Lipitor: Benefits and Considerations

For many patients, Lipitor is prescribed as a long-term treatment to manage chronic high cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. What are the potential benefits and considerations of using Lipitor over an extended period?

Long-term use of Lipitor has been associated with several significant benefits:

• Sustained reduction in LDL cholesterol levels
• Decreased risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Potential slowing of atherosclerosis progression
• Improved overall cardiovascular health

However, long-term use of any medication requires careful monitoring and consideration of potential risks. Some factors to consider include:

1. Regular liver function tests: To monitor for any signs of liver damage
2. Muscle enzyme monitoring: To detect any early signs of muscle-related side effects
3. Diabetes risk: Some studies suggest a slightly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes with long-term statin use
4. Cognitive effects: While rare, some patients report memory issues or confusion with long-term statin use

It’s crucial for patients on long-term Lipitor therapy to maintain regular check-ups with their healthcare provider. These visits allow for monitoring of cholesterol levels, assessment of any side effects, and adjustment of the treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal benefits while minimizing risks.

Special Considerations for Specific Patient Groups

While Lipitor is widely prescribed, certain patient groups may require special considerations when using this medication. What factors should be taken into account for specific populations?

Elderly Patients

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Lipitor and may require lower doses. They may also be at a higher risk of drug interactions due to multiple medications. Close monitoring is essential for this group.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Lipitor is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The potential risks to the developing fetus or infant outweigh the benefits in most cases. Women of childbearing age should discuss contraception options with their healthcare provider while taking Lipitor.

Patients with Liver Disease

Since Lipitor is metabolized in the liver, patients with pre-existing liver conditions may require careful monitoring and potentially lower doses. Regular liver function tests are crucial for these patients.

Patients with Kidney Disease

While Lipitor is generally safe for patients with kidney disease, dose adjustments may be necessary in some cases, particularly for those with severe kidney impairment.

Patients with Diabetes

Lipitor can be particularly beneficial for patients with diabetes, who are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. However, blood sugar levels should be closely monitored, as statins may slightly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For all these special patient groups, individualized treatment plans and close medical supervision are essential to ensure the safe and effective use of Lipitor.

Alternative Treatments and Complementary Therapies

While Lipitor is a highly effective medication for managing cholesterol levels, it’s not the only option available. What alternative treatments or complementary therapies might be considered alongside or instead of Lipitor?

Other Cholesterol-Lowering Medications

• Other statins (e.g., simvastatin, rosuvastatin)
• Bile acid sequestrants
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors (e.g., ezetimibe)
• PCSK9 inhibitors
• Fibrates

Natural Supplements

Some patients may explore natural supplements to help manage their cholesterol levels. While these should not be used as a replacement for prescribed medications without consulting a healthcare provider, some options that have shown potential include:

• Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)
• Plant sterols and stanols
• Red yeast rice
• Niacin (vitamin B3)

It’s important to note that even natural supplements can have side effects and interact with medications. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Lifestyle Interventions

For some patients with mildly elevated cholesterol levels, lifestyle changes alone may be sufficient to manage their condition. These interventions include:

• A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
• Regular physical activity
• Weight management
• Stress reduction techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)
• Smoking cessation

The choice of treatment should be individualized based on the patient’s overall health status, risk factors, and personal preferences. A comprehensive approach that combines medication (when necessary) with lifestyle modifications often yields the best results in managing cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Lipitor Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as “statins.” It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides and raising “good” cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.

How to use Lipitor

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking atorvastatin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If you also take certain other drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take atorvastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medications. These products can react with atorvastatin, preventing its full absorption.

Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.

It is very important to continue to follow your doctor’s advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Side Effects

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very small number of people taking atorvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor.

Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

This drug may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms last after your doctor stops this drug: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).

This medication may rarely cause liver problems. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with atorvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: daptomycin, gemfibrozil.

Other medications can affect the removal of atorvastatin from your body, which may affect how atorvastatin works. Examples include glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir, telithromycin, ritonavir, among others.

Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking atorvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking atorvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

Does Lipitor interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, liver function) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Lipitor 80 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: PD 158 80

This medicine is a white, elliptical, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “PD 158” and “80”.

Lipitor 20 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: PD 156 20

This medicine is a white, elliptical, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “PD 158” and “80”.

Lipitor 10 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: PD 155 10

This medicine is a white, elliptical, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “PD 158” and “80”.

Lipitor 40 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ellipticalImprint: 40 PD 157

This medicine is a white, elliptical, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “PD 158” and “80”.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Taking atorvastatin with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way atorvastatin works and can increase the chances of you having serious side effects, such as muscle damage.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin or fusidic acid
• antifungals such as ketoconazole, voriconazole or fluconazole
• some HIV medicines
• some hepatitis C medicines
• warfarin, a medicine to help prevent blood clots
• ciclosporin, a medicine for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis
• colchicine, a medicine for gout
• contraceptive pills, such as the combined pill
• verapamil, diltiazem or amlodipine, medicines for high blood pressure and heart problems
• amiodarone, a medicine that helps if you have an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)

If you’re taking atorvastatin and need to take one of these medicines, your doctor may:

• prescribe a lower dose of atorvastatin
• prescribe a different statin medicine
• recommend that you stop taking atorvastatin for a while

These are not all the medicines that can affect the way atorvastatin works. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet or check with your pharmacist.

Mixing atorvastatin with herbal remedies and supplements

St John’s wort, a herbal remedy taken for depression, reduces the amount of atorvastatin in your blood, so it does not work as well.

Talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about starting St John’s wort, as it will change how well atorvastatin works.

Sometimes, people take a supplement called CoQ10 with statins. There’s no clear evidence that taking it at the same time as atorvastatin benefits your health.

If you decide to take a CoQ10 supplement, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Supplements can affect the way other medicines you’re taking work.

There’s not enough information to say that other herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with atorvastatin. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

Important:
Medicine safety

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Page last reviewed: 7 March 2022

Next review due: 7 March 2025

Lipitor tablets 20 mg, 30 pcs 10 Dosage form

Coated tablets

Indications for use

Primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemia, Frederickson type IIa), combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia (Frederickson type IIb and III), dysbetalipoproteinemia (Frederickson type III) (as an adjunct to diet), familial endogenous hypertriglyceridemia (Frederickson type IV), resistant to dietary treatment.

Homozygous hereditary hypercholesterolemia (as an adjunct to lipid-lowering therapy, including autohemotransfusion of LDL-purified blood).

Also indications for treatment are cardiovascular diseases against the background of dyslipidemia, secondary prevention in order to reduce the overall risk of death, myocardial infarction and re-hospitalization for angina pectoris.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, active liver diseases (including active chronic hepatitis, chronic alcoholic hepatitis), increased activity of “liver” transaminases (more than 3 times) of unknown origin, liver failure (severity A and B on the Child-Pugh scale), pregnancy, lactation.

Caution. Severe electrolyte imbalance, endocrine and metabolic disorders, alcoholism, history of liver disease, arterial hypotension, severe acute infections, uncontrolled seizures, major surgery, trauma, childhood (efficacy and safety of use have not been established).

How to use: dosage and course of treatment

By mouth, taken at any time of the day, with or without food. The initial dose is 10 mg 1 time per day. The dose should be changed at intervals of at least 4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 80 mg in 1 dose.

For primary hypercholesterolemia and combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia, 10 mg once a day is prescribed. The effect of treatment is manifested within 2 weeks, the maximum effect is observed within 4 weeks.

In homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, 80 mg is prescribed once a day (lowering LDL by 18-45%).

Before starting therapy, the patient must be prescribed a standard hypocholesterolemic diet, which he must follow during treatment.

Pharmacological action

Lipid-lowering drug from the statin group. Selective competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonic acid, which is a precursor of sterols, including cholesterol.

TG and cholesterol in the liver are included in the composition of VLDL, enter the plasma and are transported to peripheral tissues. LDL is formed from VLDL during interaction with LDL receptors.

The drug reduces plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, cholesterol synthesis in the liver and increasing the number of “liver” LDL receptors on the cell surface, which leads to increased uptake and catabolism of LDL.

Reduces the formation of LDL, causes a pronounced and persistent increase in the activity of LDL receptors. Reduces LDL levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, which usually does not respond to lipid-lowering drugs.

Reduces total cholesterol by 30-46%, LDL – by 41-61%, apolipoprotein B – by 34-50% and TG – by 14-33%; causes an increase in the level of HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) and apolipoprotein A.

Taking the drug Lipitor dose-dependently reduces the level of LDL in patients with homozygous hereditary hypercholesterolemia, resistant to therapy with other lipid-lowering drugs.

Treatment with Lipitor significantly reduces the risk of ischemic complications (including the development of death from myocardial infarction) by 16%, the risk of re-hospitalization for angina pectoris accompanied by signs of myocardial ischemia – by 26%.

Atorvastatin is not carcinogenic or mutagenic.

Side effects

From the side of the nervous system: more often than 2% – insomnia, dizziness; less often 2% – headache, asthenia, malaise, drowsiness, unusual dreams, amnesia, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, amnesia, emotional lability, ataxia, facial paralysis, hyperkinesis, depression, hyperesthesia, loss of consciousness.

From the senses: less than 2% – amblyopia, ringing in the ears, dryness of the conjunctiva, disturbance of accommodation, hemorrhage in the eyes, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, loss of taste, taste perversion.

From the digestive system: more often 2% – nausea; less than 2% – heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, gastralgia, abdominal pain, anorexia, decreased or increased appetite, dry mouth, belching, dysphagia, vomiting, stomatitis, esophagitis, glossitis, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, biliary colic, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice, liver dysfunction, rectal bleeding, melena, bleeding gums, tenesmus.

From the respiratory system: more often than 2% – bronchitis, rhinitis; less than 2% – pneumonia, dyspnea, bronchial asthma, epistaxis.

From the CCC: more often than 2% – chest pain; less than 2% – palpitations, vasodilation, migraine, postural hypotension, increased blood pressure, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris.

From the side of the hematopoietic system: rarely 2% – anemia, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia.

From the musculoskeletal system: more often 2% – arthritis; less than 2% – leg muscle cramps, bursitis, tendosynovitis, myositis, myopathy, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, torticollis, muscle hypertonicity, joint contractures.

From the genitourinary system: more often 2% – urogenital infections, peripheral edema; less often 2% – dysuria (including pollakiuria, nocturia, urinary incontinence or urinary retention, imperative urge to urinate), nephritis, hematuria, vaginal bleeding, nephrourolithiasis, metrorrhagia, epididymitis, decreased libido, impotence, impaired ejaculation.

On the part of the skin: more than 2% – alopecia, xeroderma, increased sweating, eczema, seborrhea, ecchymosis, petechiae.

Allergic reactions to the components of the drug: less than 2% – pruritus, skin rash, contact dermatitis, rarely – urticaria, angioedema, facial edema, photosensitivity, anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme exudative (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s syndrome).

Laboratory indicators: less than 2% – hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, increased serum CPK, albuminuria.

Other: less than 2% – weight gain, gynecomastia, mastodynia, exacerbation of gout.

Overdose.

Treatment of overdose: there is no specific antidote, symptomatic therapy is carried out. Hemodialysis is ineffective.

Special instructions

Treatment may cause an increase in serum CPK, which should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of retrosternal pain.

It is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators before starting treatment, 6 and 12 weeks after the start of the drug or after increasing the dose, and periodically during the entire period of use (until the condition of patients with transaminase levels exceeding normal is completely normalized). An increase in “liver” transaminases is observed mainly in the first 3 months of using the drug.

It is recommended to stop the drug or reduce the dose if the increase in AST and ALT values ​​is more than 3 times. The use of the drug should be temporarily discontinued with the development of clinical symptoms suggesting the presence of acute myopathy, or in the presence of factors predisposing to the development of acute renal failure against the background of rhabdomyolysis (severe infections, hypotension, traumatic surgery, trauma, metabolic, endocrine or severe electrolyte disturbances). Patients should be warned that they should immediately consult a doctor if unexplained pain or weakness in the muscles occurs, especially if they are accompanied by malaise or fever.

Women of reproductive age should use reliable methods of contraception.

Limited experience with 80 mg/day in children. Controlled studies in children have not been conducted, however, adverse reactions when using the drug in 8 children older than 9 years with familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia at a dose of up to 80 mg / day for 1 year were not detected.

Use in pregnancy and lactation

The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

Co-administration of cyclosporine, fibrates, erythromycin, clarithromycin, immunosuppressive, antifungal drugs (related to azoles) and nicotinamide with atorvastatin increases plasma concentrations of atorvastatin (and the risk of myopathy).

Antacids reduce concentration by 35% (the effect on LDL cholesterol does not change).

Simultaneous use of atorvastatin with protease inhibitors, known as inhibitors of cytochrome CYP3A4, is accompanied by an increase in plasma concentrations of the drug.

When digoxin is used in combination with atorvastatin at a dose of 80 mg/day, the concentration of digoxin increases by approximately 20%.

Increases the concentration by 20% (when administered with the drug at a dose of 80 mg / day) of oral contraceptives containing norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol.

The lipid-lowering effect of the combination with colestipol is superior to that of either drug alone.

Storage conditions

Keep out of reach of children at temperatures up to 25°C.

Shelf life

2 years.

Terms of dispensing from pharmacies

By prescription.

Brand:

Phizer

Brand:

Turkey

Active ingredient ENG:

atorvastatin

Barcode:

8 699532095015

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Lipitor: what is it – AMO Academy News

Duration of reading :

Lipitor is a drug that lowers blood cholesterol levels. It belongs to the 3rd generation lipid-lowering drugs, the group is statins. It is often prescribed to patients suffering from cardiovascular pathologies.

How does Lipitor work?

The active ingredient of the drug is atorvastatin. Thanks to him, lipoproteins, cholesterol and other types of fats are reduced in the bloodstream, which reduces the symptoms of atherosclerosis. The drug inhibits the activity of HMG-COA reductase. As a result, low-density lipoproteins begin to be intensively catabolized, which helps to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.

Release form and admission rules

Lipitor is available in tablets for oral administration. You can consume them regardless of food intake at the recommended dosage of 10 mg per day. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor, in some cases it may be increased.

Indications for use and effectiveness of Lipitor

He is appointed:

• for diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• with hereditary hypercholesterolemia as part of complex treatment;
• for the prevention of myocardial infarction.

The effectiveness of Lipitor has been confirmed by clinical studies. In patients participating in the studies, after regular use of the drug, there was a significant reduction in complications from the heart and blood vessels in the post-infarction period. The number of angina attacks also decreased.