What is Atorvastatin?
Have you ever filled a prescription for a generic or patented drug containing atorvastatin at a pharmacy or hospital? Actually, what is atorvastatin? Atorvastatin is a statin drug (HMG-CoA) that is useful for treating high cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attack, angina, and stroke.
Doctors may also sometimes prescribe atorvastatin if you have a history of genetic heart disease or chronic health problems such as diabetes as a preventive measure.
Another use of atorvastatin is as an adjunct therapy to diet or weight loss programs. However, make sure to consult a doctor.
How Atorvastatin Works
Atorvastatin works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body by preventing the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate and inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
By lowering cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, it can also prevent heart diseases such as angina, stroke, and heart attacks.
Atorvastatin Use Precautions
Before you take atorvastatin, there are some important things you should discuss with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you:
- Allergy to atorvastatin, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in atorvastatin tablets.
- Are taking any prescription or nonprescription medications, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products? Your doctor may change the dosage of supplements, herbs, and medications you are taking to minimize side effects.
- Have liver problems. Usually, the doctor will ask for laboratory test results first. If this is not possible, then you are not advised to continue treatment with atorvastatin.
- Have or are currently drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day.
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Pregnant women should not take atorvastatin.
- Breastfeeding. Your doctor may choose another treatment so that you can still meet your baby’s milk needs.
Rules for Use of Atorvastatin Medication
This medicine is taken orally or through the mouth at the dose recommended by the doctor and at the same time every day.
Usually, doctors will recommend consuming it at night before going to bed. Because the liver tends to produce most of its cholesterol at night. Furthermore, you can consult a doctor.
In addition, atorvastatin can be taken with or without food. If it feels uncomfortable in the stomach, then it can be taken with food.
However, make sure not to drink it together with grapefruit juice.
Atorvastatin Drug Dosage
The doctor will recommend you the right dosage according to the condition you are experiencing. Well, here is the dosage of atorvastatin:
Hyperlipidemia
- Initial dose: 10-20 mg orally per day.
- Patients with LDL reduction of more than 45%: can start at 40 mg per day.
- Dosage range: 10-80 mg per day.
Prevention of heart disease
- Initial dose: 10-20 mg orally per day.
- Patients with LDL reduction of more than 45%: can start at 40 mg per day.
- Dosage range: 10-80 mg per day.
Never reduce or increase the dose without a doctor’s advice. Usually, the doctor will give atorvastatin at a low dose and then increase it gradually.
Special attention, for patients with kidney and liver disorders should get the right dose reduction from the doctor. So, it is better to consult directly with a specialist doctor.
Atorvastatin Drug Recommendations in Pharmacies
You can take atorvastatin according to your doctor’s advice. Here are some recommendations:
- Atorvastatin 20 mg 10 Tablets. A generic drug that works to reduce the increase in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
- Atorvastatin Dexa 20 mg 1 Box (30 Tablets/Box). Can be consumed in a dose range of 10-80 mg per day. This drug is also used as an additional therapy to diet to lose weight.
- Atorvastatin 10 mg 6 Tablets. Patients with combined hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia can take this drug once a day or as directed by a doctor.
- Atorvastatin 40 mg 10 Tablets. Can be consumed in higher doses if recommended by a doctor and requires a decrease in cholesterol of up to 45%.
- Atorvastatin 20 mg 3 Strips (10 Tablets/ Strip) – Routine Medication. You can take this medication at a dose of 1 tablet per day.
- Atorvastatin 20 mg 6 Tablets. Its use is as a therapy for primary hypercholesterolemia, combined hyperlipidemia, and additional diet therapy.
Atorvastatin Side Effects
Every drug certainly has certain side effects when used in the wrong dosage or due to certain health conditions. That is why it is very important to tell your doctor anything you experience while taking atorvastatin.
There are some common side effects, although not all patients experience them, such as:
- Nausea, stomach ache.
- Digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, flatulence)
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping).
- Pain in the joints.
- Muscle pain.
- Pain in the legs or arms.
- Sore throat.
In some cases, patients with certain health conditions may experience more serious side effects, such as:
- The whites of the eyes turn yellow.
- Skin rash with red patches.
- Severe stomach ache.
- Cough accompanied by shortness of breath.
- Significant weight loss.
Although rare, you should be aware if you experience this condition. Seek medical help immediately to get the right treatment.
Atorvastatin Contraindications
If you are suffering from certain health problems, your doctor will likely recommend other treatments to lower your cholesterol.
Patients with the following health problems are contraindicated to take atorvastatin, including:
- Liver disorders or cirrhosis of the liver.
- Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any other ingredient in atorvastatin tablets.
- Steven-Johnson syndrome.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers.
Atorvastatin Interactions
Some drugs are known to cause certain interactions when used together with the following drugs, including:
- Antibiotics, such as rifampin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin.
- Antiviral for HIV and hepatitis.
- Other cholesterol medications: fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, and niacin.
- Antifungals such as ketoconazole and itraconazole.
- Colchicine.
- Cyclosporine.
- The hormone estrogen or progestin.
In addition to the above medications, it is a good idea to inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking, so that you can minimize side effects that occur due to drug interactions.