US Brand Name: Lipitor ({Atorvastatin})
Pharmacologic Category: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
Other medications in the same pharmacologic category: {Simvastatin}, {Rosuvastatin}, {Pravastatin}, {Lovastatin}, {Fluvastatin}, and {Pitavastatin}
Diseases Treated, Dosing, and Treatment Duration:
{Primary hypercholesterolemia} (high cholesterol): 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Mixed dyslipidemia}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Familial hypercholesterolemia}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
Prevention of {cardiovascular disease}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Atherosclerosis}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Coronary artery disease}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Ischemic stroke} prevention: 10-80 mg orally once daily
{Peripheral artery disease}: 10-80 mg orally once daily
Dosage Forms and Strengths:
Oral tablet: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg
Administration Instructions:
Take atorvastatin at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or split.
Adverse Reactions and Side Effects:
{Myalgia} (muscle pain) (common): Aching or discomfort in the muscles. {Headache} (common): A painful sensation in the head. {Diarrhea} (common): Frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. {Nausea} (less common): Feeling of sickness or urge to vomit. Liver enzyme elevations (less common): Increase in liver enzyme levels, indicating potential liver damage. {Rhabdomyolysis} (rare): Breakdown of muscle tissue, which can lead to kidney damage.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any component of the formulation Active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevations in liver enzymes Pregnancy Breastfeeding
Drug-to-Drug Interactions:
{Cyclosporine} (Neoral, Sandimmune): Increased risk of muscle and liver toxicity.
{Gemfibrozil} (Lopid): Increased risk of muscle toxicity.
{Clarithromycin} (Biaxin): Increased risk of muscle and liver toxicity.
Protease inhibitors (e.g., {ritonavir} [Norvir], {lopinavir}/ritonavir [Kaletra]): Increased risk of muscle and liver toxicity.
Pregnancy:
Atorvastatin is classified as Pregnancy Category X. It is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm.
Breastfeeding:
Atorvastatin is contraindicated during breastfeeding, as it may be excreted in breast milk and cause harm to the infant.