Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Diabetes warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this if you have liver disease since this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women:Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Diabetes warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this if you have liver disease since this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women:Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Diabetes warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this if you have liver disease since this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women:Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Diabetes warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this if you have liver disease since this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women:Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

1. Atorvastatin oral tablet is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Lipitor.
2. Atorvastatin only comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth.
3. Atorvastatin oral tablet is used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Muscle problems warning: Your risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) is increased while taking atorvastatin. The risk is greater if you’re a senior, have thyroid problems, or have kidney disease. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have unexplained muscle soreness, pain, or weakness.
• Liver problems warning: Lab tests for your liver may be abnormally high while you’re taking atorvastatin and you may have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor this while you’re taking this drug.
• Diabetes warning: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. You and your doctor should monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you’re taking this drug.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. It’s also available in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Why it’s used

Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems. It’s also used to decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Atorvastatin helps to prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. Clogged arteries can block blood flow to your heart and brain.

Atorvastatin may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications. These may include bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

How it works

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. Atorvastatin improves your body’s ability to get rid of LDL cholesterol through your liver.

Atorvastatin oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of atorvastatin oral tablet include:

• cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and coughing
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
  • tiredness
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • tiredness or weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • upper stomach pain
  • dark-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Atorvastatin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with atorvastatin are listed below.

Antibiotics

Taking atorvastatin with certain antibiotics increases your risk for muscle problems. Examples of these drugs include:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin

Fungal drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat fungal infections may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include:

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Taking atorvastatin with other cholesterol-lowering drugs raises your risk for muscle problems. Your doctor may change your dosage of these medications or have you avoid taking them together. Examples of these drugs include:

• gemfibrozil
• medications that contain fibrate
• niacin

Rifampin

Taking rifampin with atorvastatin may lower the amount of atorvastatin in your body. This means that the atorvastatin may not work as well.

HIV drugs

Taking atorvastatin with certain drugs used to treat HIV may cause atorvastatin to build up in your body. This raises your risk for muscle breakdown. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor may decrease your dosage of atorvastatin. Examples of these drugs include protease inhibitors such as:

• darunavir
• fosamprenavir
• lopinavir
• ritonavir
• saquinavir
• tipranavir

Digoxin

Taking digoxin with atorvastatin can increase the amount of digoxin in your blood to dangerous levels. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will monitor these levels and adjust your medication doses if needed.

Oral birth control pills

Taking atorvastatin with oral birth control pills may increase the levels of oral contraceptive hormones in your blood.

Colchicine

Taking colchicine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine with atorvastatin raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Your doctor should avoid this combination.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Atorvastatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble swallowing

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Food interactions warning

Avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin. Drinking grapefruit juice can lead to a buildup of atorvastatin in your blood, which raises your risk for muscle breakdown. Ask your doctor how much grapefruit juice is safe for you.

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for liver disease from atorvastatin. Talk to your doctor if you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney problems: Having kidney problems raises your risk for muscle breakdown while taking atorvastatin. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for muscle problems.

For people with liver disease: You shouldn’t take this if you have liver disease since this medication can increase your liver test results. This means that you may have liver damage.

For people with diabetes: Atorvastatin may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medications if this happens.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women:Atorvastatin should never be used during pregnancy. Safety in pregnant women is unknown and there’s no apparent benefit of this drug during pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Atorvastatin should not be used during breastfeeding. If you breastfeed your child, talk to your doctor about what medication could be right for you.

For seniors: People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin.

For children: Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years. This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in children 10–17 years of age.

This dosage information is for atorvastatin oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Atorvastatin

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Brand: Lipitor

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg

Dosage for prevention of heart disease

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been approved for use in children younger than 18 years for the prevention of heart disease.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Dosage for dyslipidemia (cholesterol problems)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: 10–20 mg taken once per day.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 10–80 mg taken once per day.
• Note: When treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the dosage is 10–80 mg taken once per day.

Child dosage (ages 10–17 years)

In children, atorvastatin is only used to treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

• Typical starting dosage: 10 mg once per day.
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–9 years)

Atorvastatin hasn’t been studied in children younger than 10 years of age for this purpose. It shouldn’t be used in this age range for this purpose.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk for side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Atorvastatin oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: While eating a healthy diet can sometimes improve your cholesterol levels, atorvastatin can help them even more. If you don’t take atorvastatin, your cholesterol levels may not be controlled. This may raise your risk for heart attack or stroke.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You may have the following symptoms:

• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn
• joint pain
• forgetfulness
• confusion
• unexplained muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain
• loss of appetite
• upper stomach pain
• dark-colored urine
• yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You won’t be able to feel atorvastatin working. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels to see how well atorvastatin is working for you. Your doctor may adjust your dosage depending on your cholesterol levels.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes atorvastatin oral tablet for you.

General

• Don’t cut or crush the tablet.

Storage

• Store atorvastatin at room temperature between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

While you’re being treated with atorvastatin, your doctor will check your cholesterol levels and liver function. This will be done through blood tests.

Your diet

Your doctor may have you follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet while you take this drug.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Uses, How to Take It, Dietary Tips & Potential Complications

Lipitor is a prescription drug used to lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart and blood vessel problems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication in 1996. Its active ingredient is atorvastatin calcium.

Lipitor blocks HMG-CoA reductase, a liver enzyme the body needs to produce low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol. By lowering the amount of LDL in the blood, the medication prevents atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque deposits accumulate on the inner walls of arteries, causing them to stiffen and narrow. In turn, this reduces the risk of atherosclerosis complications like heart attack, stroke, chest pain and aneurysms.

The medicine can also raise levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, which protects against heart attack. Some experts believe HDL can carry plaque away from arteries to the liver, which helps to slow its buildup and prevent dangerous blockages in blood flow.

Lipitor is the most popular and most potent member of the statin family of drugs, which is the most widely prescribed class of medications in the United States. Pfizer Inc. manufacturers the billion-dollar drug.

Approved Uses

Doctors commonly prescribe Lipitor together with diet, weight loss and exercise to lower cholesterol and help stave off cardiovascular disease in people with multiple risk factors other than pre-existing coronary heart disease.

The FDA approved Lipitor for this use based on clinical trials. In one clinical trial called the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT), researchers investigated atorvastatin’s ability to prevent heart disease in more than 10,000 at-risk patients. The drug was found to reduce the risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiac events by 36 percent when compared to a placebo.

“Lipitor is for adults and children over 10 whose cholesterol does not come down enough with exercise and a low-fat diet alone.”

Patients already diagnosed with heart disease take the drug to lower their risk of having a cardiac event. For patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease, the drug can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and chest pain while also lowering the risk for heart failure surgeries and hospitalization from congestive heart failure.

The medication is also a preventative treatment option for patients with Type 2 diabetes and several risk factors for heart disease and stroke such as high blood pressure, a history of smoking and two diabetes-related conditions called retinopathy and albuminuria, which affect the eyes and kidneys, respectively.

The FDA also approved the drug for use in children and teenagers who are 10 to 17 years old and have heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally. If diet therapy fails, Lipitor may be used in these patients to decrease the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

Triglycerides are fats that can clog blood vessels, and high levels in the blood can mean an elevated risk of stroke.

Important Information on Taking Lipitor

Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take Lipitor and how often. Never adjust your dose or stop taking the drug without first speaking with your doctor.

The medication comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg tablets. The tablets are white, oval-shaped and film-coated, and should be swallowed whole.

Doctors may start patients on a low dose and then slowly up the dose, but not more than once every two to four weeks. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg to 20 mg once daily. The medicine takes about two weeks to start working.

EXPAND

Lipitor comes in four strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg.

It’s normal for a doctor to order blood tests to check cholesterol levels during treatment. He or she may adjust the dose based on the test results.

The drug label says patients can take the medication during the day or at night, though it recommends they take it at the same time every day. You do not need to take the medicine with food, but you can if you want to.

If you forget to take a dose at your normal time, take it as soon as you think of it, but don’t take two doses at the same time. If more than 12 hours have passed since you missed your last dose, then wait to take the pill at your scheduled time. If you take too much of the medication, call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital or emergency room.

Dietary Dos and Don’ts

When taking Lipitor, it’s important to follow the exercise and dietary recommendations made by your doctor or dietitian. Typically, patients who take the medication are told to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that people looking to lower their cholesterol have:

• Less than 7 percent of daily calories from saturated fat
• Less than 200 mg a day of cholesterol
• 25 percent to 35 percent of daily calories from total fat

The drug’s label warns users to avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice while taking the drug. This means users should not drink more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice per day. Grapefruit juice contains one or more components that inhibit CYP34A, an important enzyme found in the liver, and it can increase plasma concentrations of atorvastatin.

Experts also recommend at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity such as brisk walking, but talk with your doctor to determine what is appropriate for you.

Common and Serious Side Effects

In some people, Lipitor may cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach, and muscle and joint pain. Though rare, people have also reported memory loss, forgetfulness, amnesia and confusion associated with statin use.

Serious Lipitor side effects include muscle disease called myopathy and muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. The risk of these complications rises when patients take atorvastatin at the same time as certain antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals.

The medication can also cause liver problems, including fatal and non-fatal liver failure. Signs of liver trouble may include: feeling tired or weak; losing your appetite; experiencing belly pain on the right side of your upper abdomen; and developing yellowish skin and eyes.

Studies also link atorvastatin use to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Thousands of people filed lawsuits against Pfizer alleging Lipitor caused their Type 2 diabetes. The Lipitor lawsuits claimed Pfizer knew about the risks but didn’t adequately warn patients and doctors.

Many of these complications can occur with all statins, which raises serious safety concerns about the drug class as a whole.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Liver Problems and Allergic Reactions

People who are allergic to Lipitor or any of its ingredients should not take the medication, according to the drug’s label. Neither should people with liver problems.

The label also advises against taking the drug while pregnant or breastfeeding. Atorvastatin may harm an unborn baby, and the medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

DID YOU KNOW?

Because Lipitor reduces the synthesis of cholesterol and potentially other biological substances derived from cholesterol, the drug may cause fetal harm if taken by pregnant women.

According to the label, women should stop taking the drug right away if they find out they are pregnant. Studies have not established the safety of the drug in pregnant women, and expectant mothers get no benefit from lipid-reducing drugs, the label states.

Before the FDA replaced its pregnancy risk letter categories in 2015, it had deemed Lipitor as Pregnancy Category X, indicating that the risks involved with use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh the potential benefits. Pregnancy Category X means studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/ or there is evidence of fetal risk based on human experience.

Atorvastatin Uses, Interactions & Side Effects

Skip to:

Atorvastatin statin medication prescribed to reduce choleserol. Image Credit: riccar / Shutterstock

What is Atorvastatin Used for?

Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs termed “statins”, which are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (HMG-CoA) reductase – an enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol.

Atorvastatin is used to reduce the levels of total blood cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LD, Apoprotein (Apo)-B, and triglycerides. LDL is also referred to as “bad” cholesterol and Apo B is a marker for cardiovascular risk.

Atorvastatin also increases the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is also approved for dysbetalipoproteinemia – a rare hereditary condition associated with elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Normal blood flow. The accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels. Atherosclerotic plaque. Vector 3d illustration – Illustration Credit: Studiovin / Shutterstock

How Does Atorvastatin Work?

HMG-CoA reductase is a key enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol. The enzyme converts 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol in the liver.

Atorvastatin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase from performing this conversion and hence disrupts the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. It also increases the number of LDL receptors on the cell; which leads to increased LDL uptake by the cells, and lowers the plasma LDL levels. Atorvastatin has a shape complementary to the active site of HMG-CoA reductase and also forms specific hydrogen bonds within the active site.

HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in artery. Image Credit: Ching Design / Shutterstock

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Atorvastatin

All drugs belonging to the drug class statins share a common mechanism of action; however, they differ in terms of their structures, pharmacokinetic profiles and efficacy. The drug’s chemical structure decides its water solubility, which ultimately influences the pharmacokinetic properties – absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Atorvastatin is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Maximum plasma concentrations occur within 1 to 2 hours and the extent of absorption increases with the increase in dose. Plasma concentrations of atorvastatin also depend on the population being treated. Higher concentrations of the drug are found in older adults (age 65 years or older), women and patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease.

Atorvastatin undergoes metabolism in the gastrointestinal mucosa and the liver before it reaches the systemic circulation. This phenomenon is termed as first-pass metabolism.

Food decreases the rate of drug absorption; however, it doesn’t interfere much with the extent of drug absorption. Changes in rate of atorvastatin absorption are not expected to have a clinically significant effect; hence atorvastatin can be taken with or without food.

Distribution: Atorvastatin has a volume of distribution of approximately 381 litres and the drug is =98% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Atorvastatin acid is extensively metabolized into its active derivatives in the gut and liver by chemical reactions such as oxidation, lactonisation and glucuronidation. These active derivatives account for almost 70% of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity.

Excretion: Atorvastatin and its metabolites are eliminated by biliary secretion. Less than 2% of the drug is passed in urine. The elimination half-life of a drug is defined as the time required for the concentration of the drug in the body to be reduced to half. The elimination half-life of atorvastatin is approximately 14 hours, but the half-life of inhibitory activity for HMG-CoA reductase is 20 to 30 hours due to the contribution from the active metabolites of atorvastatin.

Pharmacodynamics

Atorvastatin and its active metabolites are all pharmacologically active. The liver is the main target organ of action, being the principal site of cholesterol synthesis and LDL clearance. The extent of LDL reduction depends on the dose of the drug rather than on the plasma drug concentration. Hence the individual dosage regimen should be based on the therapeutic response.

Drugs that Interact with Atorvastatin

The following are some important drug interactions of atorvastatin:

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP 3A4) Inhibitors

Atorvastatin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4; therefore, the concomitant use of drugs that inhibit CYP 3A4 can result in increased concentrations of atorvastatin in the blood. Caution should be exercised when co-administering atorvastatin with clarithromycin, protease inhibitors, and itraconazole, which are drugs that possess strong CYP 3A4 inhibitory action.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 Inducers

Efavirenz and rifampin are drugs with cytochrome P450 3A4-inducing activity; thus concomitant administration of atorvastatin with these drugs can lead to increased metabolism of atorvastatin and reductions in the plasma concentrations of atorvastatin.

Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) Inhibitors

OATP1B1 is an uptake transporter, responsible for the hepatic uptake of drugs from the blood.

Atorvastatin and its metabolites are substrates of the OATP1B1 transporter. Drugs such as cyclosporine are inhibitors of the OATP1B1 and cause inhibition of hepatic uptake of atorvastatin. This ultimately leads to increased bioavailability of atorvastatin which results in higher levels of the drug in the body. This leads in turn to an increased risk of muscle-related atorvastatin toxicity known as myopathies. Thus, the co-administration of atorvastatin with cyclosporine must be strictly avoided.

Gemfibrozil

Gemfibrozil is a lipid-modifying drug that belongs to the class of fibrates. Co-administration of atorvastatin with gemfibrozil leads to decreased metabolism of atorvastatin. This leads to an increased concentration of atorvastatin and a higher risk of myopathies.

Niacin

The use of atorvastatin with high doses of niacin increases the risk of rhabdomyolysis – a serious condition characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue.

Digoxin

Co-administration of atorvastatin and digoxin leads to increased concentration of digoxin in the blood. Though the exact mechanism responsible for this effect is not known, a study by Boyd RA et al., found that atorvastatin inhibits the secretion of digoxin into the intestinal lumen. Patients taking digoxin should be monitored regularly when atorvastatin therapy is initiated.

Colchicine

The co-administration of atorvastatin with colchicine can lead to the increased bioavailability of atorvastatin, predisposing to the occurrence of myotoxicity such as rhabdomyolysis. Atorvastatin is a P-glycoprotein substrate, and colchicine is a P-glycoprotein inhibitor; combining the two modifies the pharmacokinetics of the drug by increasing the bioavailability and organ uptake of atorvastatin.

Oral Contraceptives

Atorvastatin may increase the blood concentrations of oral contraceptives such as norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol.

Grapefruit Juice and Atorvastatin

Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice can increase the plasma concentrations of atorvastatin, which, in turn, increases the potential for adverse reactions. This happens because grapefruit contains furanocoumarins that inhibit CYP 3A4 – the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of atorvastatin. The effect is prominent when the juice is consumed in excess of 1.2 liters per day.

Common Side Effects of Atorvastatin

Myopathies

Myopathies have been reported frequently in patients taking atorvastatin. Myopathies are a group of conditions affecting the skeletal muscle, and are characterized by muscle pain, muscle tenderness or muscular weakness. Elevated creatine phosphokinase levels are a prominent sign of myopathies.

Rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening syndrome, may occur in severe cases of myopathy. Rhabdomyolysis is a complex condition caused by the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers and the leakage of these proteins into the circulation, which may disrupt normal renal function, among other effects.

One common factor predisposing to the development of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis is the combination of atorvastatin with medications that increase the plasma concentration of atorvastatin. Advanced age (> 65), uncontrolled hypothyroidism, and renal disease are some other risk factors for the development of myopathies.

Strategies helpful for the management of myopathies include dose reduction, temporary cessation of the therapy or switching to another statin.

Liver Enzyme Abnormalities

Atorvastatin can also cause alterations in liver enzymes. Liver enzyme tests should be performed before initiating therapy; the enzyme levels should also be monitored regularly during the course of therapy. If serum transaminases are found to be more than three times the upper limit of normal, the dose of atorvastatin should be reduced or the drug discontinued. Tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellow discoloration of skin and abdominal pain are some common symptoms of liver derangement

Joint pain, pain in the extremities, digestive problems, cold, insomnia and urinary tract infections are some other frequent adverse effects observed in patients taking atorvastatin.

Due to its propensity to cause serious adverse effects, atorvastatin is contraindicated in individuals with active liver disease, hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any of its components, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Further Reading

Tulip® | Sandoz in Russia

During treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors with the simultaneous use of cyclosporine, fibrates, nicotinic acid in lipid-lowering doses (more than 1 g / day) or inhibitors of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme (for example, erythromycin, clarithromycin, antifungal agents) – derivatives the risk of myopathy increases (see section “Special instructions”).

CYP3A4 isoenzyme inhibitors

Since atorvastatin is metabolized by the isoenzyme CYP3A4, the combined use of the drug Tulip ^® with inhibitors of this isoenzyme can lead to an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma.The degree of interaction and the effect of increasing the concentration of atorvastatin are determined by the variability of the effect on the CYP3A4 isoenzyme.

It was found that potent inhibitors of the isoenzyme CYP3A4 lead to a significant increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in blood plasma. The simultaneous use of potent inhibitors of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme (for example, cyclosporine, telithromycin, clarithromycin, delavirdine, styripenthol, ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, some antiviral drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C (eg.elbasvir / grazoprevir) and HIV protease inhibitors, including ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir, darunavir, etc.). If the simultaneous administration of these drugs is necessary, the possibility of starting therapy with a minimum dose should be considered, and the possibility of reducing the maximum dose of atorvastatin should be evaluated.

Moderate inhibitors of the isoenzyme CYP3A4 (for example, erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil and fluconazole) can lead to an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma.Against the background of the simultaneous use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and erythromycin, an increased risk of myopathy was noted. Interaction studies of amiodarone or verapamil and atorvastatin have not been conducted. It is known that both amiodarone and verapamil inhibit the activity of the isoenzyme CYP3A4 and the simultaneous use of these drugs with atorvastatin can lead to an increase in atorvastatin exposure. In this regard, it is recommended to reduce the maximum dose of atorvastatin and conduct appropriate monitoring of the patient’s condition while using it with moderate inhibitors of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme.Control should be carried out after the initiation of therapy and against the background of changing the dose of the inhibitor.

Gemfibrozil / fibrates

Against the background of the use of fibrates in monotherapy, undesirable reactions, including rhabdomyolysis, concerning the musculoskeletal system were periodically noted. The risk of such reactions increases with the simultaneous use of fibrates and atorvastatin. If the simultaneous use of these drugs cannot be avoided, the minimum effective dose of atorvastatin should be used, and regular monitoring of the patient’s condition should be carried out.

Ezetimibe

The use of ezetimibe is associated with the development of undesirable reactions, including rhabdomyolysis, from the musculoskeletal system. The risk of such reactions increases with the simultaneous use of ezetimibe and atorvastatin. Close monitoring is recommended for these patients.

Erythromycin / clarithromycin

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin 10 mg and erythromycin (500 mg 4 times a day) or clarithromycin (500 mg 2 times a day), which inhibit the cytochrome CYP3A4 isoenzyme, there is an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma (by 40% – when using with erythromycin and 56% when used with clarithromycin).

Protease inhibitors

The simultaneous use of atorvastatin with protease inhibitors, known as inhibitors of the isoenzyme of cytochrome CYP3A4, is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma (see section “Special instructions”).

Diltiazem

The combined use of atorvastatin at a dose of 40 mg with diltiazem at a dose of 240 mg leads to an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma.

Cimetidine

No clinically significant interaction of atorvastatin with cimetidine has been identified.

Itraconazole

The simultaneous use of atorvastatin at doses from 20 mg to 40 mg and itraconazole at a dose of 200 mg leads to a 3-fold increase in the AUC value of atorvastatin.

Grapefruit juice

Since grapefruit juice contains one or more components that inhibit the isoenzyme CYP3A4, excessive consumption (more than 1.2 liters per day for 5 days) may cause an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin in blood plasma.

Transport protein inhibitors

Transport protein inhibitors (such as cyclosporine, letermovir) can increase the systemic effect of atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is a substrate for liver enzyme transporters (see the Pharmacokinetics section).

The combined use of atorvastatin at a dose of 10 mg and cyclosporin at a dose of 5.2 mg / kg / day led to an increase in the level of exposure to atorvastatin (AUC ratio: 8.7) (see the Pharmacokinetics section).Cyclosporin is an inhibitor of organic anion transport polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), OATP1B3, multidrug-resistant 1 (MDR1) protein and breast cancer resistance protein, as well as CYP3A4, therefore, it increases the level of atorvastatin exposure. The daily dose of atorvastatin should not exceed 10 mg (see section “Dosage and Administration”).

Concomitant use of atorvastatin in patients taking cyclosporine in combination with letermovir is not recommended.

CYP3A4 isoenzyme inductors

Concomitant use of atorvastatin with inducers of the isoenzyme CYP3A4 (for example, efavirenz or rifampicin) can lead to a decrease in the concentration of atorvastatin in blood plasma. Due to the dual mechanism of interaction with rifampicin (an inducer of the CYP3A4 isoenzyme and an inhibitor of the transport protein of hepatocytes OATP1B1), the simultaneous use of atorvastatin and rifampicin is not recommended, since delayed intake of atorvastatin after taking rifampicin leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma.However, the effect of rifampicin on the concentration of atorvastatin in hepatocytes is unknown, and if simultaneous use cannot be avoided, the effectiveness of such a combination should be carefully monitored during therapy.

Antacids

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin and a suspension containing magnesium and aluminum hydroxides inside, the concentration of atorvastatin in plasma decreases by about 35%, but the degree of decrease in the concentration of LDL cholesterol does not change.

Phenazone

Atorvastatin does not affect the pharmacokinetics of phenazone, therefore interaction with other drugs metabolized by the same isoenzymes is not expected.

Colestipol

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin and colestipol, a lower plasma concentration of atorvastatin was revealed (the ratio of atorvastatin concentration is 0.74). However, the hypolipidemic effect of the combination of atorvastatin and colestipol was superior to that of each drug separately.

Fusidic acid

During post-marketing studies, cases of the development of rhabdomyolysis were noted in patients taking simultaneously statins, including atorvastatin and fusidic acid. The mechanism of this interaction is unknown. In patients for whom the use of fusidic acid is considered necessary, statin treatment should be discontinued during the entire period of use of fusidic acid. Statin therapy can be resumed 7 days after the last dose of fusidic acid.In exceptional cases where long-term systemic therapy with fusidic acid is needed, for example, for the treatment of severe infections, the need for the combined use of atorvastatin and fusidic acid should be considered on a case-by-case basis and under the strict supervision of a physician. The patient should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of muscle weakness, tenderness, or pain appear.

Colchicine

Although studies of the interaction of atorvastatin and colchicine have not been conducted, cases of myopathy have been reported when used together with colchicine, and caution should be exercised with the simultaneous administration of atorvastatin and colchicine.

Digoxin

With repeated use of digoxin and atorvastatin at a dose of 10 mg, the equilibrium concentrations of digoxin in blood plasma do not change. However, when using digoxin in combination with atorvastatin at a dose of 80 mg / day, the concentration of digoxin in the blood plasma increases by about 20%. Patients taking digoxin in combination with atorvastatin require monitoring of the concentration of digoxin in the blood plasma.

Azithromycin

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin at a dose of 10 mg 1 time / day and azithromycin at a dose of 500 mg 1 time / day, the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma does not change.

Oral contraceptives

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin and an oral contraceptive containing norethisterone and ethinyl estradiol, there is a significant increase in the AUC of norethisterone and ethinyl estradiol by about 30% and 20%, respectively, which should be taken into account when choosing an oral contraceptive.

Terfenadine

Atorvastatin, when used simultaneously with terfenadine, does not have a clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of terfenadine.

Warfarin

In a clinical study in patients regularly receiving warfarin therapy with the simultaneous use of atorvastatin at a dose of 80 mg per day, a slight increase in prothrombin time was found by approximately 1.7 seconds during the first 4 days of therapy. This effect disappears after 15 days of simultaneous use of these drugs. Although cases of clinically significant changes in the anticoagulant effect have been reported very rarely, the prothrombin time in patients taking coumarin anticoagulants should be determined before starting and often enough at the beginning of treatment with atorvastatin to ensure that there are no significant changes in prothrombin time.Once a stable prothrombin time has been recorded, it can be checked at intervals that are common in patients taking coumarin anticoagulants. If the dose is changed or treatment is discontinued, these measures should be repeated. There was no association between the use of atorvastatin and bleeding or a change in prothrombin time in patients not taking anticoagulants.

Amlodipine

With the simultaneous use of atorvastatin at a dose of 80 mg and amlodipine at a dose of 10 mg, the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin in the equilibrium state does not change.

Glecaprevir / pibrentasvir

Simultaneous use with drugs containing glecaprevir or pibrentasvir is contraindicated (see section “Contraindications”).

Elbasvir / Grazoprevir

With the simultaneous use of drugs containing elbasvir or grazoprevir, the daily dose of atorvastatin should not exceed 20 mg per day (see section “Dosage and Administration”).

Other concomitant therapy

In clinical studies, atorvastatin was used in combination with antihypertensive drugs and estrogens as part of hormone replacement therapy.There were no signs of a clinically significant undesirable interaction, and interaction studies with specific drugs were not conducted.

In addition, there was an increase in the concentration of atorvastatin when used simultaneously with HIV protease inhibitors (a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir, saquinavir and ritonavir, darunavir and ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir with ritonavir and nelfinavir), hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors itraconazole.Caution should be exercised with the simultaneous use of these drugs, and also use the lowest effective dose of atorvastatin.

Page not found | Pfizer for Professionals

* By submitting the completed data in the registration form, I confirm that I am a healthcare worker of the Russian Federation and give specific, informed and conscious consent to the processing of personal data to the Personal Data Operator Pfizer Innovations LLC (hereinafter referred to as the “Operator”) registered at the address: St.Moscow, Presnenskaya embankment, house 10, 22nd floor.

I grant the Operator the right to carry out the following actions with my personal data, as well as information about my hobbies and interests (including by analyzing my profiles on social networks): collecting, recording, systematizing, accumulating, storing, updating (updating, changing), extraction, use, transfer (access, provision), deletion and destruction, by automated and (or) partially automated (mixed) processing of personal data.

Consent is granted with the right to transfer personal data to affiliated persons of Pfizer Innovations LLC, including Pfizer LLC (Moscow, Presnenskaya naberezhnaya, 10, 22nd floor), and with the right to order the processing of personal data, incl. h. LLC “Redox” (Moscow, Volgogradskiy prospect, house 42, building 42A, floor 3, room 3) and LLC “Supernova” (Moscow, Varshavskoe shosse, house 132), which processes and stores personal data.

The processing of my personal data is carried out for the purpose of registering on the Operator’s website www.pfizerprofi.ru to provide me with access to information resources of the Pfizer company, as well as to interact with me by providing information through any communication channels, including mail, SMS, e-mail, telephone and other communication channels.

This consent is valid for 10 (ten) years.

I have been informed about the right to receive information regarding the processing of my personal data, in accordance with the Federal Law of July 27, 2006 No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data”.

This consent can be revoked by me at any time by contacting the address of the Operator-Pfizer Innovations LLC or by phone. 8 495 287 5000.

* By submitting the completed data in the registration form, I confirm that I am a healthcare worker of the Russian Federation and I give specific, informed and conscious consent to the processing of personal data to the Personal Data Operator of Pfizer Innovations LLC (hereinafter referred to as the “Operator”) registered at the address: …Moscow, Presnenskaya embankment, house 10, 22nd floor.

I grant the Operator the right to carry out the following actions with my personal data, as well as information about my hobbies and interests (including by analyzing my social media profiles): collecting, recording, organizing, accumulating, storing, updating (updating, change), extraction, use, transfer (access, provision), deletion and destruction, by automated and (or) partially automated (mixed) processing of personal data.

Consent is granted with the right to transfer personal data to affiliates of Pfizer Innovations LLC, including Pfizer LLC (Moscow, Presnenskaya naberezhnaya, 10, 22nd floor), and with the right to order the processing of personal data, in incl. LLC “Redox” (Moscow, Volgogradskiy prospect, house 42, building 42A, floor 3, room 3) and LLC “Supernova” (Moscow, Varshavskoe highway, house 132), which processes and stores personal data.

The processing of my personal data is carried out for the purpose of registration on the Operator’s website www.pfizerprofi.ru to provide me with access to information resources of the Pfizer company, as well as to interact with me by providing information through any communication channels, including mail, SMS, e-mail, telephone and other communication channels.

This consent is valid for 10 (ten) years.

I have been informed about the right to receive information regarding the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Federal Law of July 27, 2006 No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data”.

This consent can be revoked by me at any time by contacting the address of the Operator-Pfizer Innovations LLC or by phone. 8 495 287 5000.

Doctors RF

Pharmacological action – lipid-lowering.

Inside, at any time of the day, regardless of food intake.

Before starting treatment with Atorvastatin, you should try to control hypercholesterolemia with diet, exercise and weight loss in obese patients, as well as therapy for the underlying disease.

When prescribing the drug, the patient must be recommended a standard cholesterol-lowering diet, which he must adhere to during the entire period of therapy.

The dose of the drug varies from 10 to 80 mg 1 time per day and is titrated taking into account the concentration of LDL-C, the goal of therapy and the individual response to the therapy. The maximum daily dose of the drug is 80 mg.

At the beginning of treatment and / or during an increase in the dose of Atorvastatin, it is necessary to monitor the concentration of blood plasma lipids every 2–4 weeks and adjust the dose of the drug accordingly.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. In most cases, 80 mg is prescribed 1 time per day (decrease in the concentration of LDL-C by 18–45%).

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The initial dose is 10 mg / day (to ensure the indicated dosage regimen, atorvastatin preparations should be used at a dosage of 10 mg). The dose should be selected individually and the relevance of the dose should be assessed every 4 weeks with a possible increase to 40 mg / day.Then the dose can either be increased to the maximum (80 mg / day), or it is possible to combine bile acid sequestrants with atorvastatin at a dose of 40 mg / day.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In primary prevention studies, the dose of atorvastatin was 10 mg / day (to ensure the indicated dosage regimen, atorvastatin preparations should be used at a dosage of 10 mg). It may be necessary to increase the dose in order to achieve the values ​​of cholesterol-LDL, corresponding to current recommendations.

The dose of the drug must be titrated depending on the goal of lipid-lowering therapy. Dose adjustments should be made every 4 weeks or more.

Special patient groups

Lack of liver function. In case of insufficiency of liver function, the dose of Atorvastatin should be reduced, with regular monitoring of the activity of hepatic transaminases: AST and ALT.

Lack of renal function. Impairment of renal function does not affect the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma or the degree of decrease in the concentration of LDL-C; therefore, no dose adjustment is required.

Elderly patients. There were no differences in the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the drug Atorvastatin in elderly patients compared to the general population, dose adjustment is not required.

Use in combination with other drugs. If concomitant use with cyclosporine, telaprevir or tipranavir / ritonavir is required, atorvastatin 10 mg should be used.

Care should be taken to use the lowest effective dose of atorvastatin when used concomitantly with HIV protease inhibitors, hepatitis C protease inhibitors (boceprevir), clarithromycin and itraconazole.

Film-coated tablets, 40 mg and 80 mg. In a blister strip made of PVC film and lacquered aluminum foil, 10 pcs. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 blisters in a cardboard box.

ALSI Pharma JSC.

Claims should be sent to the address: 129272, Russia, Moscow, Trifonovskiy Tup., 3.

Tel .: (495) 787-70-55.

Address of the place of production: 610044, Russia, Kirov region, Kirov, st. Lugansk, 53 century.

In a dry, dark place at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C.

3 years.

Do not use after the expiry date stated on the package.

Atorvastatin-LF (Belarus) | JLLC “Lekpharm”

Use with caution in patients with alcohol abuse and / or suffering from liver disease (history).

Effect on liver function

As with the use of other lipid-lowering drugs of the same class, during treatment with the drug, a moderate (more than 3 times compared to the upper limit of the norm) increase in the serum activity of hepatic transaminases may appear.

Before starting, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after starting the drug or after increasing the dose, as well as during the entire course of treatment, it is necessary to monitor liver function indicators. Liver function should also be investigated when clinical signs of liver damage appear. In the case of an increase in the level of hepatic transaminases, their activity should be monitored until it returns to normal. If the increase in the activity of aspartic transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) more than 3 times compared with the upper limit of the norm persists, it is recommended to reduce the dose or discontinue the drug.

Lipromac-LF should be used with caution in patients who consume significant amounts of alcohol and / or have a history of liver disease.

Aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy for the prevention of stroke

In the course of the conducted studies, it was found that among patients with coronary heart disease who had recently suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack, hemorrhagic stroke was observed more often in patients receiving 80 mg of atorvastatin than in patients receiving placebo.In particular, an increased risk was observed in patients who had already had a hemorrhagic stroke or lacunar infarction at the time of study initiation. With regard to patients with previous hemorrhagic stroke or lacunar infarction, the balance of the risk / benefit ratio of the dose of atorvastatin 80 mg is not clear; the possible risk of hemorrhagic stroke should be carefully evaluated before starting therapy.

Effect on skeletal muscle

In the treatment of atorvastatin, as in the use of similar drugs of this group, cases of rhabdomyolysis were rarely observed, which were accompanied by acute renal failure resulting from myoglobinuria.A history of renal failure may be a risk factor for the development of rhabdomyolysis. In such patients, more careful monitoring of skeletal muscle function is necessary.

Treatment with atorvastatin, like other statins, can cause myopathy, which is manifested by pain and weakness in the muscles in combination with an increase in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity by more than 10 times compared with the upper limit of the norm. Concomitant use of high doses of atorvastatin and certain drugs such as cyclosporine and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, clarithromycin, itraconazole, and HIV protease inhibitors) increases the risk of myopathy / rhabdomyolysis.

There are rare reports of the development of immune necrotizing myopathy, autoimmune myopathy associated with the intake of statins. Immune necrotizing myopathy is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and increased creatine kinase levels, which persist even after discontinuation of statin therapy; muscle biopsy reveals necrotizing myopathy without significant inflammation; improvement occurs when taking immunosuppressive drugs.

Myopathy should be suspected in any patient with diffuse myalgia, muscle soreness or weakness, and / or a marked increase in CPK activity.Patients should be warned that they should immediately inform the doctor about the appearance of unexplained pain or weakness in the muscles, if they are not accompanied by malaise or fever. Therapy with atorvastatin should be discontinued in the event of a pronounced increase in CPK activity or in the presence of confirmed or suspected myopathy.

The risk of myopathy in the treatment of other drugs of this class increased with the concomitant use of cyclosporine, fibrates, erythromycin, clarithromycin, hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir, a combination of HIV protease inhibitors, including saquinavir and ritonavir, lopinavir and ritonavir, tipranaviravir, and fistonavir fosamprenavir and ritonavir, niacin, or azole antifungals.Prescribing atorvastatin in combination with fibrates, erythromycin, clarithromycin, a combination of saquinavir and ritonovir, lopinavir and ritonavir, darunavir and ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir and ritonavir, azole antifungals and lipidosinic acid should be carefully dosed and treated with nicotinic acid. monitor patients regularly for any signs or symptoms of muscle pain or weakness, especially during the first months of treatment and when the dose of any drug is increased.Low initial and maintenance doses of atorvastatin should be prescribed when taken concomitantly with these drugs. In such situations, periodic determination of CPK activity can be recommended, although such control does not prevent the development of severe myopathy.

Recommendations for the prescription of interacting medicinal products are given in the table (see the section “Interaction with other medicinal products”).

Cases of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis, have been reported when atorvastatin is coadministered with colchicine, so caution must be exercised in this case.Patients should be warned to see a doctor immediately if they develop unexplained muscle pain or weakness, especially if accompanied by malaise or fever.

Before starting therapy

Atorvastatin should be used with caution in patients with a predisposition to rhabdomyolysis. The CPK level should be determined before starting therapy in the following cases:

• renal failure;
• hypothyroidism;
• individual or family history of hereditary muscle disorders;
• prior muscle toxicity due to statin or fibrate use;
• previous liver disease and / or alcohol abuse;
• elderly patients (over 70 years old) – the need for laboratory data in this case is also caused by the presence of other factors of predisposition to rhabdomyolysis;
• cases of increased plasma concentration (for example, cases of interaction and use in special populations, including genetic subpopulations).

In the cases listed above, the ratio between risk and potential benefit should be assessed, clinical observation is recommended.

With a significant increase in the concentration of CPK (exceeding the upper limit of the norm by more than 5 times) at the initial level, treatment should not be started.

Measurement of CPK levels

You should not measure the CPK level after heavy physical exertion or in the presence of other factors responsible for the increase in the CPK level, as this will complicate the interpretation of the test results.If the initial CPK levels are markedly increased (more than 5 times compared to the upper limit of the norm), it is necessary to re-analyze the results in 5-7 days to confirm the results.

Endocrine function

Increases in HbAlc and fasting serum glucose have been reported with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, including atorvastatin. Statins affect cholesterol synthesis, and theoretically can inhibit the production of adrenal hormones and / or sex steroid hormones.Clinical studies have shown that atorvastatin does not decrease the basal plasma cortisol concentration and does not adversely affect adrenal reserve. The effect of statins on male fertility has not been studied in sufficient numbers of patients. The effects, if any, on the pituitary-gonadal system in premenopausal women are unknown. Care must be taken when prescribing statins with drugs that can lower the level or activity of endogenous steroid hormones, such as ketoconazole, spironolactone, and cimetidine.

Interstitial lung diseases

There have been reports of very rare cases of interstitial lung disease with statins, especially with long-term therapy. If symptoms of interstitial lung disease appear, such as respiratory distress, shortness of breath, unproductive cough, worsening of the general condition (fatigue, weight loss, fever), statin therapy should be discontinued.

Diabetes mellitus

Some evidence suggests that statins, as a class, raise blood glucose levels and, in patients at high risk of developing diabetes, may cause high blood sugar levels that require appropriate treatment.However, the benefit of statins in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease outweighs the small increase in the risk of diabetes, so statins should not be discontinued. There are grounds for periodic monitoring of glycemia in patients, especially those at risk (fasting glucose 5.6 – 6.9 mmol / L, body mass index> 30 kg / m2, increased triglyceride levels or hypertension) taking statins.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

This document, provided by Lexicomp ^® , contains all the information you need to know about the drug, including the indications, route of administration, side effects and when you should contact your healthcare provider.

Trade names: USA

Lipitor

Trade names: Canada

ACH-Atorvastatin Calcium; AG-Atorvastatin; APO-Atorvastatin; Atorvastatin-10; Atorvastatin-20; Atorvastatin-40; Atorvastatin-80; Auro-Atorvastatin; BIO-Atorvastatin; DOM-Atorvastatin; JAMP-Atorvastatin; Lipitor; M-Atorvastatin; Mar-Atorvastatin; MINT-Atorvastatin; MYLAN-Atorvastatin; NRA-Atorvastatin; PMS-Atorvastatin; PRIVA-Atorvastatin; RATIO-Atorvastatin [DSC]; REDDY-Atorvastatin; RIVA-Atorvastatin; SANDOZ Atorvastatin; TARO-Atorvastatin; TEVA-Atorvastatin

What is this drug used for?

• Used to lower bad cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
• Used in some people to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and certain heart problems.
• Used to slow the progression of heart disease.
• This medicinal product may be used for other indications. Consult your doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE taking this drug?

• If you are allergic to this drug, any of its ingredients, other drugs, foods or substances.Tell your doctor about your allergy and how it manifested itself.
• If you have liver disease or increased liver function.
• If you are taking any of the following drugs: cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, glecaprevir in combination with pibrentasvir, letermovir, or tipranavir in combination with ritonavir.
• If you are or may become pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.
• If you are breastfeeding. Do not breast-feed while taking this drug.

This list of drugs and diseases that may be adversely associated with this drug is not exhaustive.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take (both prescription and over-the-counter, natural products and vitamins) and your health problems. You need to make sure that this drug is safe for your medical condition and in combination with other drugs you are already taking.Do not start or stop taking any drug or change the dosage without your doctor’s approval.

What do I need to know or do while taking this drug?

• Tell all healthcare providers that you are taking this drug. These are doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), your blood sugar should be checked regularly.
• Perform blood tests as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Please consult your doctor.
• Follow your doctor’s recommended diet and exercise program.
• Consult a healthcare professional if you frequently drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit.
• Avoid or limit alcohol to less than 3 servings per day. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of liver disease.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, use this drug with caution.You may have more side effects.
• Potential adverse effects of this drug on the fetus. Women must use contraception while taking this drug. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.

What side effects should I report to my doctor immediately?

WARNING. In rare cases, some people with this drug can have serious and sometimes deadly side effects.Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms, which may be associated with serious side effects:

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, itching, reddened and swollen skin with blistering or scaling, possibly associated with fever, wheezing or wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, unusual hoarseness, swelling in the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection, including blood in the urine, burning or painful sensations when urinating, frequent or immediate urge to urinate, fever, pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
• Weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or thinking, trouble maintaining balance, drooping one side of the face, or blurred vision.
• Difficulty urinating or change in the amount of urine excreted.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Confusion of consciousness.
• Violation or loss of memory.
• This drug may cause muscle pain, soreness, or weakness. The risk may be increased with thyroid dysfunction or kidney problems. It may also be raised if this drug is taken with certain other drugs or for people 65 years of age or older. Occasionally, severe muscle abnormalities can occur, which can lead to impaired renal function. Fatalities occurred on rare occasions.If you experience muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (with or without fever, or feeling unwell), seek medical attention immediately. Call your doctor right away if muscle problems persist after you stop taking this drug as directed by your doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems, such as dark urine, tired feeling, lack of appetite, nausea or abdominal pain, light colored stools, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

Any medicine can have side effects. However, many people have little or no side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if these or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.
• Joint pain.
• Nausea.
• Irritation of nose or throat.
• Sleep disorders.

This list of potential side effects is not comprehensive. If you have any questions about side effects, please contact your doctor. Talk to your doctor about side effects.

You can report side effects to the National Health Office.

You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You can also report side effects at https: // www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What is the best way to take this drug?

Use this drug as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Read all the information provided to you. Follow all instructions strictly.

• Take this drug at about the same time of the day.
• Take this medication with or without food.
• Continue taking this drug as directed by your doctor or other healthcare professional, even if you feel well.

What to do if a dose of a drug is missed?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you can and then return to your regular schedule.
• If 12 hours or more have passed since a dose was missed, skip that dose and return to your normal schedule.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or an additional dose.

How do I store and / or discard this drug?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place.Do not store in the bathroom.
• Store all medicines in a safe place. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.
• Dispose of unused or expired drugs. Do not empty into toilet or drain unless directed to do so. If you have any questions about the disposal of your medicinal products, consult your pharmacist. Your area may have drug recycling programs.

General information about medicines

• If your health does not improve or even worsens, see your doctor.
• You should not give your medicine to anyone and take other people’s medicines.
• Some medicines may come with other patient information sheets. If you have questions about this drug, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
• Some medicines may come with other patient information sheets. Check with your pharmacist. If you have questions about this drug, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
• If you think an overdose has occurred, call a Poison Control Center immediately or seek medical attention. Be prepared to tell or show which drug you took, how much and when it happened.

Use of information by the consumer and limitation of liability

This information should not be used to make decisions about taking this or any other drug. Only the attending physician has the necessary knowledge and experience to make decisions about which drugs are suitable for a particular patient. This information does not guarantee that the drug is safe, effective, or approved for the treatment of any disease or specific patient.Here are only brief general information about this drug. It does NOT contain all available information on the possible use of the drug with instructions for use, warnings, precautions, information about interactions, side effects and risks that may be associated with this drug. This information should not be construed as a treatment guide and does not replace information provided to you by your healthcare professional. Check with your doctor for complete information on the possible risks and benefits of taking this drug.

Copyright

© UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and / or licensors, 2021. All rights reserved.

ATORVASTATIN AVEXIMA | JSC “Avexima”

Indications for use

Hypercholesterolemia:

– as an addition to the diet to reduce elevated concentrations of cholesterol, LDL-C, apo-B and triglycerides in adults, including familial hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous variant) or combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia (respectively, type IIa and IIb according to the Fredrickson classification), when the response diet and other non-drug treatments are inadequate;

– to lower high total cholesterol, LDL-C in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (for example, LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are not available;

– primary prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients without clinical signs of coronary heart disease (IHD), but having several risk factors for its development: age over 55 years, nicotine addiction, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low concentration of HDL-C in blood plasma, genetic predisposition, including against the background of dyslipidemia;

– secondary prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with coronary artery disease in order to reduce mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, re-hospitalization for angina pectoris and the need for revascularization procedures.

Dosage and administration

The drug is taken orally, regardless of the time of the meal.

Before starting therapy, you should try to achieve control of hypercholesterolemia with exercise and weight loss in obese patients, as well as therapy for the underlying disease. When using the drug, the patient must be recommended a standard cholesterol-lowering diet, which the patient must adhere to during the entire period of therapy.

The dose of the drug varies from 10 mg to 80 mg once a day. The dose is selected taking into account the initial level of LDL-C, the goal and effectiveness of the therapy.

The maximum daily dose is 80 mg.

Atorvastatin is taken once at any time of the day, but at the same time every day.

At the beginning of therapy and / or during an increase in the dose, it is necessary to monitor the concentration of lipids in the blood plasma every 2-4 weeks and adjust the dose of the drug accordingly.

Primary (heterozygous hereditary and polygenic) hypercholesterolemia (type IIa) and mixed hyperlipidemia (type IIb)

For most patients – 10 mg once a day; the therapeutic effect develops within 2 weeks and usually reaches a maximum within 4 weeks. With prolonged treatment, the effect persists.

Homozygous hereditary hypercholesterolemia

The initial dose is selected individually, depending on the severity of the disease.In most cases, 80 mg is prescribed once a day.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

The recommended starting dose of the drug is 10 mg per day. Further dose titration is carried out until the target concentrations of LDL-C in blood plasma are achieved.

Elderly patients

There was no difference in efficacy, safety, or therapeutic effect of the drug in elderly patients compared to the general population, and dose adjustment is not required.

Insufficiency of renal function

Impaired renal function does not affect the concentration of atorvastatin in the blood plasma or its effect on lipid metabolism indicators; therefore, a change in the dose of the drug in patients with impaired renal function is not required.

Liver dysfunction

If liver function is insufficient, the dose of the drug should be reduced with constant monitoring of the activity of “hepatic” transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)).

Use in combination with other medicinal products

If necessary, simultaneous use with cyclosporine, telaprevir or a combination of tipranavir / ritonavir, the dose of the drug should not exceed 10 mg / day (see section “Special instructions”). Care should be taken to use the lowest effective dose of the drug when used concomitantly with HIV protease inhibitors (saquinavir, indinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir), hepatitis C protease inhibitors (boceprevir), clarithromycin and itraconazole.

instructions for use, price, analogs, reviews

Atorvastatin, as an effective drug, is a special hypocholesterolemic drug. In the process of application, the agent in a special way inhibits the enzyme, which in turn regulates the rate of its conversion into a substance such as mevalonate. This is some precursor of sterols, among which cholesterol, which is harmful to humans, is also present.

Patients suffering from one or another form of atherosclerotic manifestations have a fairly rapid onset of a positive effect.A decrease in cholesterol levels is observed in all cases and for all possible causes of pathology – heredity, improper lifestyle or side effects from taking medications.

One course of treatment is sufficient for lowering low-density cholesterol and a general substance.

Along with effective cholesterol lowering, Atorvastatin rapidly reduces the percentage of low density lipoproteins and triglycerols present in the human body.At the same time, the amount of higher density lipoproteins increases slightly.

These processes are achieved in the process of taking the drug due to a significant decrease in the total activity of a product such as reductase and by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. The process is influenced by the fact that in the liver, the total volume of low-density lipoprotein receptors, which are formed on the surface of liver cells, significantly increases.

Taking Atorvastatin helps to reduce the risk of developing dangerous ischemia, unstable angina pectoris and possible mortality in people of all ages.

At the same time, the drug reduces the risk of fatal vascular and heart diseases, and reduces the overall incidence of diseases that are classified as cardiovascular. The effect is on the frequency of stroke category fatal and fatal .

Pharmacokinetic features

Immediately after taking the drug, the main active substance is absorbed by the intestines, absorbed very quickly there and reaches the maximum plasma concentration after two hours.The concentration of the drug substance is directly proportional to the consumed therapeutic dosage.

General indicators of the bioavailability of the drug in the process of oral administration is relatively low, it is approximately 12%. The reason for this factor lies in the presystemic clearance of the agent in the process of its foundation in the area of ​​the digestive tract.

There is also the effect of “primary passage through the liver”. Approximately 98% of the total dosage taken may be associated with plasma proteins.

The process of complete metabolism of Atorvastatin in the body is produced by active metabolites and all inactive substances that make up the composition.

Basic indications for use

The medical product Atorvastatin, the instructions for use of which are quite simple, is used strictly in a well-chosen complex therapy. It is advisable to combine the course of treatment with diet and exercise prescribed by specialists.

The remedy is prescribed exclusively for those who are faced with unpleasant symptoms of diseases associated with high cholesterol .The drug is prescribed to effectively increase nutrients such as high-density cholesterol. If the previously prescribed and followed diet did not give any positive result, the treatment course of the drug will be very useful.

Quite often, the drug is prescribed to patients who have unpleasant symptoms of heart disease and vascular problems.

Also, the basis for prescribing the drug is the prevention of the development of vascular diseases with such factors as:

1. Arterial hypertension;
2. Diabetes mellitus;
3. Smoking;
4. Confirmed low cholesterol with high density readings;
5. In the presence of a certain hereditary factor, for example, if there were cases in the family when relatively young people had heart problems.

These patients are prescribed the drug as a means of reducing the risk of death in sudden heart attack or after the development of coronary heart disease. The drug is used in the field of pediatrics, it is prescribed to adolescents from 10 to 16 years old, whose tests show high cholesterol and lipoproteins, characterized by low density.

Important! People with the above problems are necessarily assigned a special diet, if it does not give the desired result, doctors use Atorvastatin.

Application features

The described medicinal product is intended strictly for oral administration. Before the very beginning of the prescribed therapy, the specialist carefully examines the patient, determines the level of general hypercholesterolemia, which is noted after the course of physical exercises, other measures that are aimed at reducing the total body weight in those who are severely obese.

There are some other important rules regarding the use of this medicinal product:

• Careful therapy of essential concomitant medications is carried out prior to drug administration.
• Taking pills is carried out against the background of adherence to the usual anti-cholesterol diet in medicine.
• The permissible daily dose of the drug, which is prescribed by the doctor, is taken at one time. The timing of the meal does not really matter here.
• The dosage and total time of treatment with Atorvastatin is determined by the doctor, who relies in the decision process on the general condition of the patient, on the level of cholesterol, as well as on the general tolerance of the drug.

With the initial form of high cholesterol or with mixed hyperlipidemia, the drug is prescribed at a dosage of 10 mg per day.After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the dosage can be adjusted, while the doctor relies on the general dynamics of the disease and the patient’s condition.

Other dosage rules include:

• Homozygous familial high cholesterolemia is treated with a dosage of 55 to 75 mg per day. This form of treatment per course allows you to reduce the amount of cholesterol by 30-45%;
• If the doctor has established the problem of high cholesterol in a teenager from 10 to 17 years old, Atorvastatin, the indications for which are quite unambiguous, is prescribed in an amount of 10 mg per day at the initial stage.
• If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 20 mg per day. A higher dosage is not prescribed – this is a general rule of pediatrics;
• No dosage adjustment is required for renal or liver problems in elderly patients. The maximum dose for such patients is approximately 80 mg.

Before treatment, the specialist checks the indicators of liver function and function without fail, at the same time, during the treatment process, he monitors the organ.If therapy causes an increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase by about three times, the drug is discontinued.

Possible side effects

The drug must be taken under the close supervision of a doctor. A drug, like all pharmaceuticals, can cause health problems based on side effects.

Among the main unpleasant accompanying symptoms from the use of a drug such as Atorvastatin, side effects may be as follows:

• Nervous system – athenia, headache, insomnia, neuropathy.
• Musculoskeletal system – convulsions, pain in joints and muscle tissue, development of myositis or myopathy.
• Digestive organs – intestinal malfunction, nausea, loss of appetite, flatulence, pain, change in plasma composition.
• Reactions from the liver – jaundice, hepatitis, cholestasis.

In rare cases, there are unpleasant allergic reactions – apolecia, itching on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, urticaria. Some men have complained of erectile dysfunction.In the field of pediatrics, the use of the drug can cause such undesirable effects as an increased risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea and abdominal pain.

In some cases, adolescents experience memory impairment, severe ringing in the ears, and severe fatigue. In some cases, urticaria, necrolysis, severe itching, rash, and even allergic edema may appear.

Important! Regardless of the age category of patients, taking Atorvastatin may be accompanied by the development of a problem such as myopathy with a simultaneous increase in the level of a substance such as creatine phosphokinase.In the presence of these problems, taking the drug is temporarily or permanently canceled.

An increased risk of the appearance and development of side effects is observed in those who simultaneously take this drug with antifungal agents and various derivatives of special fibric acid.

Contraindications in treatment

The medicine Atorvastatin is not prescribed by doctors to people who are hypersensitive to the main medicinal component of the medicine.

At the same time, the agent is not prescribed for those who have individual lactose intolerance, for those who suffer from liver diseases and with increased levels of activity of components such as hepatic transaminase.

The drug is not prescribed for children under 10 years of age. Some caution should be exercised when prescribing pills to patients with severe infectious diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders, also after undergoing surgery or injured the day before.In these cases, Atorvastatin 10 mg, the price of which is low, is not prescribed.

The agent is prescribed with the utmost caution to patients who suffer from one form or another of heart or vascular insufficiency, those who have had a stroke or ischemic attack six months before treatment.

Experts strongly recommend avoiding various activities that require maximum concentration of attention, as well as a high speed of basic psychomotor operations.Treatment with the drug during pregnancy deserves special attention. Atorvastatin is not prescribed for women in the process of expecting a baby, as well as for those who are just preparing to become a mother. It is unacceptable to use the drug during lactation.

Precautions

It is necessary to take into account the fact that Atorvastatin is able to cause a significant increase in total serum CPK. This factor needs to be paid attention to, especially for those who have established one or another form of retrosternal disease.

If CPK is increased by about 10 times, if the process is accompanied by developing myalgia, as well as muscle weakness, the drug should be discontinued. Certain precautions must be taken when taking this medicine concurrently with antibiotics.

In the process of drug therapy, it is important to monitor liver function indicators as regularly as possible. This process is carried out just before the start of treatment, and then after about a month and a half and six months later, depending on the time of the prescribed treatment.The most important thing is to study the instructions for use before using a drug such as Atorvastatin tablets.

If, as a result of the examination, an increase in hepatic parameters was found, which is typical in the first three months of treatment, it is worth immediately discontinuing the drug treatment or simply reducing the daily dosage by about three times, if possible.

Important! Patients are warned to immediately consult a specialist if signs of malaise such as causeless pain, fever and muscle weakness are noted.

Peculiarities of drug interactions

Many professional and experienced physicians note in the course of treatment with Atorvastatin such unpleasant phenomena as the development of myopathy. This is especially pronounced when the drug is taken simultaneously with cyclosporine, fibric acid preparations, such as erythromycin. It is not recommended to take the drug at the same time as antifungal drugs and niacin.

When a drug is combined with drugs such as antacids or colestipol, which contain aluminum or magnesium useful for the body, they reduce the main therapeutic effect of the drug by 35%.

There is also a slight decrease in the activity of a substance such as cytochrome P450 3A4. Drug interactions with drugs such as the oral category of contraceptives, antipyrins, are not characterized by a particular clinical change and significance.

There is a possibility of an increase in the total concentration of the digoxin substance, which is typical for a single dose of 80 mg. With a therapy consisting of such dosages, specialists monitor the concentration of a given substance.

In the process of taking the medicine simultaneously with such agents as erythromycin, as well as clarithromycin, there is a possibility of a serious increase in the main plasma blood concentrations of Atorvastatin itself.

A certain change in pharmacokinetics is quite often observed when the drug is taken together with ethinylestradiol and norethindrone, as well as with such a rather rare combination as Atovarstatin and drugs that inhibit the cytochrome P450 3A4 category.

Professionals note similar clinical manifestations while taking the drug with grapefruit juice, especially if its volume reaches 1.2 liters.

Signs of overdose

In the process of taking the highest dose of the drug Atorvastatin, people undergoing treatment may experience rhabdomyolysis, as well as serious impairment of the basic functions of such an important organ as the liver. There is no special specific antidote in the process of taking the drug.

When treating with high doses of the drug, it will simply be necessary to perform gastric lavage. After this, enterosorbent preparations are performed.If necessary, special symptomatic quality treatment will be undergone. It is worth knowing that carrying out a process such as hemodialysis during an overdose is not effective.

Release form and composition of the preparation

Atorvastatin is a film-coated tablet. Each tablet contains 10 or 20 mg of the active substance Atorvastatin, which is in the form of a calcium salt. The product is produced in 10 pieces in one blister.Many people decide to buy Atorvastatin price of 20 mg for treatment.

The medicine is purchased in an amount that corresponds to the appointment of a specialist and the decision for how long to take Atorvastatin. One package contains three similar packages.

The drug should be stored at room temperature. With this form of storage, the shelf life of the medicinal product will be two years from the date of release. The price for atorvastatin is quite affordable, there are no problems with the purchase.