Common Use

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication used to treat high cholesterol or to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in patients with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes. It works by clearing harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood and limiting the body's ability to produce new LDL cholesterol. This helps prevent the hardening of arteries and heart disease, conditions that can lead to vascular disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Dosage and Direction

Take Atorvastatin orally once a day, with or without food. It should be taken with a full glass of water.

• The typical dose for adults is 10 mg once daily.
• The typical dose for children aged 10 to 17 is 10 mg once daily.
• Atorvastatin is not recommended for children under 10 years of age, and the dose must be determined by a doctor.

Note: This information is for review only. Always consult your doctor before using this medication to achieve the best results.

Precautions

Individuals with diabetes, underactive thyroid glands, kidney disease, or muscle disorders may require additional tests before or during Atorvastatin therapy, as dosage adjustments might be necessary. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption while taking this medication, as it can worsen its adverse effects on the liver. Atorvastatin should not be used during pregnancy, while trying to conceive, or while breastfeeding without medical advice. Do not use Atorvastatin before breastfeeding without your doctor's approval.

Contraindications

Atorvastatin is not suitable for individuals with liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests. Do not use it if you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (e.g., ritonavir), itraconazole, or mibefradil. It is also contraindicated if you are hypersensitive to any components of the medication, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Possible Side Effects

Possible side effects include allergic reactions, muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms, nausea, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, low fever, jaundice, loss of appetite, and dark urine. Less serious side effects may include mild nausea, stomach pain, upset stomach, heartburn, constipation, bloating, gas, stuffy nose, itching, skin rash, and headache. If you experience any of these, stop using Atorvastatin and consult your doctor immediately. Discuss any unusual side effects with your doctor.

Drug Interactions

Atorvastatin may interact with the following drugs:

• Digoxin
• Erythromycin or clarithromycin
• Gemfibrozil or fenofibrate
• Niacin
• Antifungal medications like itraconazole, fluconazole, or ketoconazole
• Drugs that weaken the immune system, such as cancer medications, steroids, cyclosporine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus
• HIV or AIDS medications like indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, lopinavir-ritonavir, or saquinavir

Note: Drug interactions do not always require stopping one of the medications but may affect their effectiveness. Consult your doctor to manage these interactions properly.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose. Take your next dose at the regular time.

Overdose

Symptoms of an Atorvastatin overdose are not well-documented but may include a severe drop in blood pressure and an increased heart rate. If you experience these or any unusual symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Storage

Store Atorvastatin at room temperature between 59-77°F (15-25°C), away from light, moisture, children, and pets. Do not use the medication after the expiration date.

Disclaimer

This information provides a general overview of the medication and does not cover all possible directions, drug interactions, or precautions. It should not be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Always consult your healthcare provider or doctor for specific instructions tailored to your condition. We disclaim any responsibility for the reliability of this information, possible errors, or consequences of self-treatment.