Atorvastatin 

Generic name: Atorvastatin

Brands names

In the U.S.

• Lipitor

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antihyperlipidemic

Pharmacologic Class: HMG-COA Reductase Inhibitor

Utilization of atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is used in conjunction with a balanced diet to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) concentrations in the blood. Atorvastatin could help in preventing medical issues (eg heart attack, chest pain, or stroke) that result from cholesterol that is clogging blood vessels. It can also be used to treat certain kinds of blood vessels and heart problems in patients who have the risk factors for heart issues.

Atorvastatin is part of the category of drugs known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins. It acts by blocking an enzyme needed by the body in order to create cholesterol. This lowers the level of cholesterol that is present in the blood¹.

Atorvastatin can only be purchased on prescription from your physician.

Before taking atorvastatin, it is recommended to consult your doctor.

When deciding whether to take any medicine, the dangers of taking the medicine have to be evaluated against the benefits it will bring. It is a choice both you and your physician will take. In the case of atorvastatin: must be taken into consideration:

Allergies

Inform your doctor If you’ve ever experienced an unusual reaction or allergy to atorvastatin or other medication. Inform your health care doctor if you are suffering from other kinds of allergies, like to dyes, foods, or preservatives. You may also be allergic to animals. For products that are not prescription-only, you must look over the label or ingredient list carefully.

Pediatric

Studies that are appropriate up to now have not found specific problems for children that could limit the efficacy of atorvastatin children aged between 10 and 17 years old. However, the safety and effectiveness are not proven in children less than 10 years old.

Teenagers taking atorvastatin must be educated about appropriate birth control methods to avoid the possibility of having a baby.

Geriatric

Studies that are appropriate up to now haven’t revealed particular geriatric problems that might restrict the use of atorvastatin for the older. However, older patients are more susceptible to the consequences of this medication than younger people that may warrant caution when taking atorvastatin.

Breastfeeding

Research on breastfeeding mothers has revealed harmful effects for infants. Alternatives to this medication is to have it prescribed, or you should cease breastfeeding while taking the medication atorvastatin.

Interactions with medications

Certain medicines shouldn’t be taken together In other instances, two medicines can be taken together, even if interactions could occur. In these situations, the doctor might decide to adjust the dosage or make other precautions required. If you’re taking atorvastatin and other statins, it’s crucial that you let your doctor be aware that you are using any one of these drugs that are listed below. The following interactions were determined based on their potential importance and are not all-inclusive.

The use of atorvastatin together with any of these medications is not advised. Your physician may decide to not prescribe this medication or alter any other medication you are taking.

• Posaconazole
• Ritonavir

Combining atorvastatin with one of the following drugs is not usually recommended however, it is possible to do so in certain situations. If both medications are prescribed in conjunction and your doctor recommends a change in the dose or the frequency at which you use either of the medications.

• Abametapir
• Atazanavir
• Bezafibrate
• Ceritinib
• Ciprofibrate
• Clarithromycin
• Clofibrate
• Colchicine
• Conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Dalfopristin
• Danazol
• Daptomycin
• Darolutamide
• Darunavir
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• Elbasvir
• Enasidenib
• Erythromycin
• Fenofibrate
• Fenofibric Acid
• Fexinidazole
• Fluconazole
• Fosamprenavir
• Fosnetupitant
• Fusidic Acid
• Gemfibrozil
• Glecaprevir
• Grazoprevir
• Indinavir
• Isavuconazonium Sulfate
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Ledipasvir
• Leflunomide
• Letermovir
• Lopinavir
• Mibefradil
• Midostaurin
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Netupitant
• Niacin
• Palbociclib
• Pibrentasvir
• Piperaquine
• Quinupristin
• Saquinavir
• Simeprevir
• Telaprevir
• Telithromycin
• Teriflunomide
• Tipranavir
• Troleandomycin
• Verapamil

Utilizing atorvastatin in conjunction with any of the listed medicines could result in an increased chance of experiencing certain adverse consequences, but taking both medications could be the most effective treatment for you. If you are prescribed both medicines by your doctor, they could alter the dose or frequency at which you take one or both drugs.

• Amiodarone
• Amprenavir
• Azithromycin
• Bexarotene
• Black Cohosh
• Boceprevir
• Bosentan
• Clopidogrel
• Cobicistat
• Efavirenz
• Eltrombopag
• Etravirine
• Fosphenytoin
• Fostemsavir
• Interferon Beta
• Oat Bran
• Pectin
• Phenytoin
• Pioglitazone
• Quinine
• Rifampin
• St John’s Wort
• Voriconazole

Interactions with food, tobacco, and alcohol

Certain medications are not recommended to be taken at or in conjunction with having food items or eating particular kinds of food, as interactions can happen. Smoking or drinking alcohol in conjunction with certain medicines can create interactions. The below interactions were selected because of their potential impact and may not be all-inclusive.

Utilizing atorvastatin in conjunction with any of the following are generally not advised, however it may be necessary in certain instances. If you take them together with other medications, your doctor could alter the dosage or frequency you take atorvastatin or give you specific directions concerning the consumption of food items or alcohol, or tobacco.

• Grapefruit Juice

Other medical issues

The presence of medical issues could influence the effectiveness of atorvastatin. It is important to inform your physician if there are any other medical conditions particularly:

• History of alcohol abuse or any history of
• Diabetes or
• The condition is known as hypothyroidism (an inactive or underactive thyroid) or
• Liver disease, previous history–Use cautiousness. It is possible that side effects get worse.

• Convulsions (seizures) are not controlled or
• Electrolyte disorders, severe or
• Endocrine disorders, severe or
• Hypertension (low blood pressure) or
• Kidney disease, whether severe or
• Metabolic disorders that are severe or
• Sepsis (severe infection)–Patients suffering from these ailments could be at risk of developing muscle or kidney issues.

• Liver disease active or
• Liver enzymes that are elevated should not be administered to patients with these conditions.

• Recent or recent stroke
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Recent–Atorvastatin can raise the chance of stroke for patients suffering from these disorders.

The proper use of the drug atorvastatin

Do not take atorvastatin unless recommended by your doctor. Don’t use more than you need or use frequently and don’t use it for a longer period than what your doctor has ordered.

Alongside atorvastatin, your physician may alter your diet of yours to be less in sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding any diet that is special to you..

Take atorvastatin at the exact time every day.

Take the tablet in its entirety. Don’t crush, break or chew the tablet. Consume atorvastatin in conjunction in combination with or without food.

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when you are taking atorvastatin. This can cause undesirable consequences for the liver.

Inform your doctor if frequently drink grapefruit juice. Consuming large quantities of grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 daily liters) while taking atorvastatin can increase the chance of injury to your muscles and may cause kidney issues.

Dosing

The dosage of atorvastatin may differ in different people. Follow your doctor’s prescriptions or the instructions printed on your prescription. The information below is only the doses that are typical of atorvastatin. If you have a dose that differs, don’t alter it unless your physician advises you to do so.

The amount of medicine you are taking is determined by how strong the drug is. In addition, the number of doses that you are taking each day, the interval between doses, as well as the duration of time that you are taking the medication will depend on the medical condition that you’re treating with the medication.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower cholesterol levels:
    • Adults–At first, 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) daily. Some patients may have to begin with 40 mg/day. Your doctor can raise your dosage as needed. But, the dosage is typically not greater than 80 mg daily.
    • Children between 10 and 17 years old–Start with 10 mg once per day. Your physician may alter your dosage as necessary. However, the dose should generally not be higher than 20 mg daily.
    • Children who are younger than 10 years of age)–Use and dosage should be decided by your physician.

Missed dose

If you are missing the dose of atorvastatin make sure to take it as soon as you can. But, if it’s nearing the time to take the next dose, you can skip your missed dosage and then go back to your usual dosage schedule. Do not take double doses.

Do not take two doses of atorvastatin when it is longer than 12 hours after the last dose.

Storage

Keep the medication in a sealed bottle at room temperatures, and away from moisture, heat, and bright light. Be sure to keep the medicine from getting frozen.

Keep away from the children’s reach.

Avoid keeping outdated medicines or medications that are no longer needed.

Consult your physician about what you can do with any medicine that you do not take.

 

Atorvastatin is a prescription medication.

It is crucial to have your doctor monitor your progress every time you visit. This allows your doctor to assess whether the medication is working as intended to reduce the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and determine whether you should continue to use the medication. It is possible to conduct blood tests to look for any unwanted side effects.

The use of atorvastatin during your expecting can cause harm to the unborn baby. Utilize a reliable method for birth control in order to stop from becoming pregnant. If you suspect that you may have been pregnant while taking the medication, inform your doctor as soon as possible.

Consult your doctor immediately in the event of unidentified muscular pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly when you experience unusual fatigue or fever. This could be a sign of serious issues with muscles such as myopathy, (also known as immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

Contact your physician immediately in the event of blood that is dark or fever, spasms or muscle cramps as well as stiffness or pain in your muscles or unusual tiredness or weakness. These could be indications of a serious problem with your muscles called rhabdomyolysis. This condition may cause kidney problems.

Consult your doctor immediately If you experience headaches nausea, stomach pain, and dark-colored urine. Also, you may experience a decrease in appetite or weight loss, general fatigue or weakness, pale-colored stool, or stomach pains, especially in the upper right or yellow eyes or skin. These are signs of damage to the liver.

Check with the dentist or doctor who treats you is aware that you’re taking atorvastatin. It may be necessary to stop taking atorvastatin if you undergo a major procedure or major injury, or if you have other serious health issues.

Don’t take any other medication without discussing them with your physician. This includes prescription and prescription (over-the-counter OTC) medicine, herbal and vitamin supplements.

Atorvastatin side effects

In addition to its beneficial effects, some medicines may result in unwanted negative effects. Although not all adverse effects can be present, if they do occur, they could require medical attention.

Consult your physician immediately If any of these adverse effects happen:

More rare or uncommon

• Cough
• difficulties swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• febrile
• Itching, hives, skin itching, rash
• Muscle cramps, pain swelling, stiffness, or weakness
• Swelling or puffiness on the eyelids and around the eyes or lips or the tongue
• Tightness in the chest
• unusual fatigue or weakness

Incidence unknown

• Peeling, blistering, or loosening of the skin
• chills
• Urine with a dark color
• diarrhea
• joint pain
• Large, hive-like swellings around the eyes, face mouth, lips and throat, hands feet, legs, or organs for sexual pleasure
• Lesions of the skin that are red, typically with a purple central sore
• Red, irritated eyes
• sore throat
• ulcers, sores, or white spots on your mouth, or around the lip

There are some side effects that can occur that usually don’t require medical care. These symptoms may disappear when your body adjusts the medication. Additionally your health professional might be able to inform you of ways to avoid or minimize the effects of these adverse effects. Talk to your physician for any of these adverse effects persist or are uncomfortable or if there are any questions regarding these:

More commonly

• Headache
• hoarseness
• Side or lower back discomfort
• discomfort or tenderness around the cheekbones and eyes.
• uncomfortable or painful urination
• Runny or stuffy nose

Less popular

• Back back pain
• gas, or excessive belching
• constipation
• a general sensation of discomfort or illness
• heartburn, indigestion, or stomach discomfort
• weakness or lack of strength or
• Loss of appetite
• nausea
• chilling
• stomach pain
• sweating
• Trouble sleep
• vomiting

The exact cause is not known.

• The appetite has increased
• Black, tarry stool
• Bloody nose
• Urine that is cloudy or bloody
• blurred vision
• constant buzzing or ringing or some other strange-sounding within the ears
• painful pain, burning, or difficult or painful
• difficulties seeing at night
• excess muscle tone or tension
• Fruity breath smell
• Scrotum or groin pain
• inability to get or maintain an inability to have or keep an
• Increased body moves
• The eyes are more sensitive to bright light
• an increase in sensitivity to touch or the sensation of pain
• Increased thirst
• Increased the frequency of urination
• Loss of bladder control
• the loss of sexual capacity drive, desire, or sexual ability
• menstrual bleeding happening earlier or lasts longer than normal
• mental depression
• Nervousness
• nightmares
• pale skin
• fear and paranoia
• tiny red spots on the skin
• Speech slurred
• Lymph glands that are tender or swollen in the armpit, neck or the groin
• inability to move or feel the face
• bleeding or bruising that is unusual
• weight loss

Other adverse reactions that are not listed can also occur in certain patients. If you observe any other symptoms, consult with your physician.

 

Additional details

Always consult your physician to make sure the information presented on this site is appropriate to your specific situation.