Precautions and warnings

Patients who consume a large amount of alcohol. A history of liver illness is present. Patients with myopathy or rhabdomyolysis risk factors. Prior to initiating statin medication, hypothyroidism should be appropriately treated for children.

Drug Interactions

Along with CYP3A4 strong inhibitors (for example, HIV or HCV protease inhibitors, itraconazole, clarithromycin), fenofibrate, colchicines, or a fixed combination of lopinavir/ritonavir, may raise the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Along with the CYP3A4 inducer, it may lower plasma concentrations (for example, rifampicin, efavirenz). Digoxin AUC and peak plasma concentrations may be greatly increased. Norethindrone and Ethinyl estradiol had higher AUCs.

Ciclosporin, gemfibrozil, telaprevir, and tipranavir have all been linked to an increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, active liver disease, or unexplained chronic serum transaminase increases, porphyria, pregnancy, and lactation are all possible causes.

Mode of actions

HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, is competitively inhibited by atorvastatin. This causes the LDL receptors to be activated and LDL catabolism to be stimulated, resulting in reduced LDL cholesterol levels.

Dosage & Administration

Oral
Mixed dyslipidaemia, Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, Nonfamilial hypercholesterolaemia
Adult: Initially, 10 or 20 mg once daily, may be adjusted at 4-wk interval. May initiate 40 mg once daily in patients who require >45% reduction in LDL-cholesterol. Max: 80 mg/day.

Child: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: 10-17 yr 10 mg once daily, may increase at intervals of at least 4 wk to max 20 mg/day.
Elderly: No dosage adjustment needed.

Atorvastatin can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. Therapy should be individualized according to goal of therapy and response. After initiation and/or upon titration of Atorvastatin, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and dosage adjusted accordingly. Since the goal of treatment is to lower LDL-C, the LDL-C levels should be used to initiate and assess treatment response. Only if LDL-C levels are not available, should total-C be used to monitor therapy.

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The dosage of Atorvastatin in patients with homozygous FH is 10 to 80 mg daily. Atorvastatin should be used as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (eg, LDL apheresis) in these patients or if such treatments are unavailable.

Dosage in Patients with Renal Insufficiency: Renal disease does not affect the plasma concentrations or LDL-C reduction of atorvastatin; thus, dosage adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction is not necessary.

Pediatric Use: Treatment experience in a pediatric population is limited to doses of Atorvastatin up to 80 mg/day for 1 year in 8 patients with homozygous FH. No clinical or biochemical abnormalities were reported in these patients. None of these patients was below 9 years of age.

Geriatric Use: Treatment experience in adult’s age 70 years with doses of Atorvastatin up to 80 mg/day has been evaluated. The safety and efficacy of Atorvastatin in this population were similar to those of patients

Pregnancy & Lactation

This medicine must not be used during pregnancy. It can be absorbed through the skin and lungs caused can damage your unborn child’s organs and cause congenital disabilities. Strict two effective types of birth control starting one month before and during treatment and for three years after stopping this medicine. Discuss with your doctors if you are not sure which types of birth control are effective for you. You must need to take pregnancy tests regularly during your treatment with this medicine and for at least three years after taking this medicine. If it seems that you do become pregnant stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately. If you really become pregnant, miss a menstrual period, or have sex without using two forms of birth control. In some cases, your doctor can prescribe emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. People on this medicine should not donate blood during the treatment and for three years afterward.

This medicine is also contraindicated breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication and for three years afterward.

Pack Size & Price