ATORVASTATIN (LIPITOR)

Pfizer Lipid Regulating Agent Lipitor Atorvastatin Tablets, Rs ...

Brand Name: Lipitor

Generic Name: atorvastatin

Drug Class: Lipid-Lowering Agents, Statins; HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors.


WHAT IS ATORVASTATIN (LIPITOR) AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a medication prescribed by a doctor to lower cholesterol in people who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol (high levels of cholesterol in the blood). Doctors diagnose high cholesterol through a simple blood test. Cholesterol (and triglycerides) are fats that are made in your body. While some cholesterol is necessary for the body, too much cholesterol is dangerous to your health. Cholesterol, specifically, is made in the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks This drug can also lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes.
Note: Some research has shown a possible relationship between the use of statins and risk of diabetes, however, the risk of developing diabetes from the use of statin is very small.

About Cholesterol and Statins

This medication is used along with a proper diet to help people lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL(low-density lipoprotein), triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." Statins (also HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) like this medication work by reducing the amount of cholesterol found in the blood.
Statins are safe medication for most people. It is important to note that statins are not recommended for pregnant patients or people with active or chronic liver disease. Also, statins can cause serious muscle problems. Some statins interact negatively with other drugs, so it is important that your doctor knows all the medicines that you are taking. If you have problems (such as pain or other symptoms) with one particular prescription statin, you may have fewer side effects with an alternative statin drug. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medication to see if you feel better or notice a difference. Doctors commonly prescribe statins like Lipitor because of their ability to lower cholesterol levels and risks of cardiovascular events. Patients should closely follow the instructions included on the prescription label to ensure effectiveness of the medicine. Due to changes and updates, patients should read the health information that accompanies this medicine each and every time this prescription is filled.
In addition to eating a proper diet for optimal health (such as a low cholesterol and low fat diet), there are other lifestyle changes that people can make that may help this medication work better. These include exercising, weight loss, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details and medical information about this drug and for medical advice about your health while taking this drug. This medication is only available by prescription.
Atorvastatin is available under the following different brand names: Lipitor.

HOW SHOULD ATORVASTATIN (LIPITOR) BE GIVEN?


Dosages of Atorvastatin Should Be Given As Follows:
Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms & Strengths
Tablets
  • 10 mg
  • 20 mg
  • 40 mg
  • 80 mg
See below for dosage considerations and other information.

HYPERLIPIDEMIA (HIGH LEVELS OF FAT IN THE BLOODSTREAM)

Primary hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and mixed dyslipidemia
  • This drug is indicated as an adjunct to diet for treatment of elevated total-C, Apo B, and TG levels and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and non-familial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson type IIa and IIb)
  • 10-20 mg taken orally once daily initially
  • Starting drug dose in patients requiring larger LDL-C reduction (i.e., greater than 45%): 40 mg taken orally once daily
  • Maintenance: 10-80 mg taken orally once daily
  • After initiation and/or upon dose titration, check lipid levels after 2-4 weeks and adjust drug dose accordingly
Hypertriglyceridemia (High Triglycerides)
  • Lipitor is prescribed as an adjunct to diet for elevated TG levels (Fredrickson type IV)
  • 10 mg taken orally once daily initially
  • Maintenance: 10-80 mg taken orally once daily maintenance
  • After initiation and/or upon dose titration, check lipid levels after 2-4 weeks and adjust dose of drug accordingly
Primary Dysbetalipoproteinemia
  • Dysbetalipoproteinemia (Fredrickson type III) in patient with inadequate response to diet
  • Lipitor Maintenance: 10-80 mg taken orally once daily
  • After initiation and/or upon dose titration, check lipid levels after 2-4 weeks and adjust dose of drug accordingly
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
  • This medication is used for the reduction of total-C and LDL-C in HoFH as an adjunct to other lip-lowering drugs (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable
  • 10 mg to 80 mg of Lipitor taken orally once daily

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

  • 10 mg to 80 mg of Lipitor taken orally once daily
Indications
  • Lipitor is used for the reduction of risk of stroke and heart attack in type 2 diabetes patients without evidence of heart disease but with other CV risk factors
  • Reduction of risk of stroke, heart attack, and revascularization procedures in patients without evidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) but with multiple risk factors other than diabetes (eg, smoking, HTN, low HDL-C, family history of early CHD)
  • Patients with CHD, to reduce risks of MI, stroke, revascularization procedures, hospitalization for CHF, and angina

Dosage Considerations of Lipitor

Co-administration of this medication with other drugs
  • Bile acid sequestrant: Administer medication atorvastatin/ezetimibe 2 hours or more before or 4 hours or more after administering bile acid sequestrant
  • Cyclosporine, tipranavir plus ritonavir, telaprevir, gemfibrozil: Avoid co-administration with atorvastatin (increased risk of rhabdomyolysis)
  • Lopinavir plus ritonavir: Use lowest dose of medicine necessary
  • Clarithromycin, itraconazole, saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir: Do not exceed atorvastatin dose of 20 mg/day
  • Nelfinavir, boceprevir: Do not exceed atorvastatin dose of 40 mg/day
Overdose management

Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

This medication is indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce total-C, LDL-C, and apo B levels in boys and post-menarchal girls aged 10-17 years with HeFH who have an inadequate response to diet alone (i.e., LDL-C remains greater than or equal to 190 mg/dL or LDL-C remains greater than or equal to 160 mg/dL and there is positive family history or early CV disease or 2 or more other CVD risk factors present)
People younger than 10 years: Safety and efficacy of Lipitor not established
People 10 years and older: Initially, Lipitor should be given as 0 mg taken orally once daily; titrate at 4-week intervals; not to exceed 20 mg taken orally once daily

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (Off-label)

Younger than 10 years: Safety and efficacy of Lipitor has not been established
10 years and older: 10-40 mg taken orally once daily

WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH USING ATORVASTATIN (LIPITOR)?


Side effects of atorvastatin include:

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