Brand
name: Atorvastatin
Pronounced: LIP-ih-tor
Generic name: Atorvastatin calcium
Why is Atorvastatin prescribed?
Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe
it along with a special diet if your blood cholesterol or triglyceride
level is high and you have been unable to lower your readings by diet
alone. The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability
to form new LDL cholesterol.
Your doctor may prescribe Atorvastatin to reduce your chances of having
a heart attack or developing heart disease if you have any of the following
risk factors:
* Are age 55 years or older
* Smoke
* Have high blood pressure
* Have low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein--the good cholesterol)
* Have a family history of early heart disease
For people at high risk of heart disease, the doctor may suggest a
cholesterol-lowering medication if LDL readings are 130 or more. For
those at low risk, a medication is considered at readings of 190 or
more.
Most important fact about Atorvastatin
Atorvastatin is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss
fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important
to remember that Atorvastatin is a supplement--not a substitute--for those
other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need
to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor.
All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important
because they may lower your risk of heart disease.
How should you take Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin should be taken once a day, with or without food. You can
take it in the morning or the evening, but should hold to the same
time each day. The drug generally begins working within 2 weeks.
For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe
Atorvastatin along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as
Questran or Colestid. It's important to avoid taking the two drugs
at the same time of day. Take Atorvastatin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours
after the other drug.
If you miss a dose Atorvastatin
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Atorvastatin Storage instructions
Store at room temperature.
Atorvastatin side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Atorvastatin.
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal heartbeat, accidental injury, allergic reaction, arthritis,
back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, flu
symptoms, fluid retention, gas, headache, indigestion, infection, inflammation
of sinus and nasal passages, insomnia, joint pain, muscle aching or weakness,
nausea, rash, stomach pain, urinary tract infection, weakness
Why should Atorvastatin not be prescribed?
Never take Atorvastatin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should
also avoid Atorvastatin if you have liver disease, or if the drug gives
you an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about Atorvastatin
There is a slight chance of liver damage from Atorvastatin, so your doctor
may order a blood test to check your liver function before you start
taking the drug, again 12 weeks after you begin therapy or your dosage
is increased, and periodically thereafter. If the tests reveal a problem,
you may have to stop using the drug.
Drugs like Atorvastatin have occasionally been known to damage muscle tissue,
so be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any unexplained
muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, especially if you also have a
fever or feel sick. Your doctor may want to do a blood test to check
for signs of muscle damage.
If you are scheduled for major surgery, your doctor will have you
stop taking Atorvastatin a few days before the operation.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Atorvastatin
If you take Atorvastatin with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Atorvastatin with any of the
following:
Antacids such as Maalox TC Suspension
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Colestipol (Colestid)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Drugs that suppress the immune system
Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Niacin (Niaspan, Niacor, Slo-Niacin)
Oral contraceptives
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Developing babies need plenty of cholesterol, so this cholesterol-lowering
drug should never be used during pregnancy. In fact, your doctor is
unlikely to prescribe Atorvastatin if there is even a chance that you may
become pregnant. If you do conceive while taking Atorvastatin, notify your
doctor right away. Atorvastatin does make its way into breast milk, so you
should not take the drug while breastfeeding your baby.
Recommended dosage for Atorvastatin
You need to follow a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before starting
Atorvastatin, and should continue following it throughout your therapy.
ADULTS
Overdosage
Although no specific information about Atorvastatin overdose is available,
any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you
suspect an overdose of Atorvastatin, seek medical attention.
