Atorvastatin calcium is very slightly soluble in distilled water, pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, and acetonitrile; slightly soluble in ethanol; and freely soluble in methanol. ATORVALIQ (atorvastatin) is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.
Cmax and AUC are approximately 16-fold and 11-fold increased, respectively, in patients with Childs-Pugh B disease. The safety and effectiveness of ATORVALIQ as an adjunct to other LDL-C lowering therapies to reduce LDL-C have been established in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH. Use of ATORVALIQ for this indication is based on a trial of atorvastatin without a concurrent control group in 8 pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HoFH see Clinical Studies.
Adverse Reactions
Atorvastatin is used together with a proper diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in the blood. This medicine may help prevent medical problems (eg, chest pain, heart attack, or stroke) that are caused by fats clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to prevent certain types of heart and blood vessel problems in patients with risk factors for heart problems. The recommended starting dosage of atorvastatin calcium tablets are 10 mg to 20 mg once daily. Patients who require reduction in LDL-C greater than 45% may be started at 40 mg once daily. Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the ATORVALIQ dosage.
Side Effects for Lipitor
RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not share atorvastatin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Atorvastatin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
It works by decreasing bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication. Atorvastatin caused no adverse effects on semen parameters, or reproductive organ histopathology in dogs given doses of 10, 40, or 120 mg/kg for 2 years. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and side effects and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first for more information.
Health Conditions
Plasma LIPITOR concentrations are lower (approximately 30% for Cmax and AUC) following evening drug administration compared with morning. However, LDL-C reduction is the same regardless of the time of day of drug administration. Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of LIPITOR see ADVERSE REACTIONS. Persistent increases to more than three times the ULN in serum transaminases have occurred in approximately 0.7% of patients receiving LIPITOR in clinical trials.
Lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and managing your weight, can also help lower cholesterol levels. It is classified as a Category X medication by the FDA, meaning it has been shown to harm unborn babies. Cholesterol is essential for fetal development, and lowering it with Atorvastatin can interfere with this process. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your healthcare provider about alternative treatments. Our telemedicine providers are available to discuss safe cholesterol management options during pregnancy. Atorvastatin belongs to the statin class, also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
- If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Atorvastatin is used to improve cholesterol levels in people with different types of cholesterol problems.
- If you cannot take Atorvastatin or prefer other options, several alternatives are available, including other medications or lifestyle changes.
- Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.
Causes & Risk Factors
- You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about LIPITOR that is written for health professionals.
- Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the drugs you use.
- Your doctor may start you on a low dose of atorvastatin and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 2 to 4 weeks.
- Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
- Carefully follow your doctor’s orders about any special diet.
Monitor all patients with renal impairment for development of myopathy. Renal impairment does not affect the plasma concentrations of ATORVALIQ, therefore there is no dosage adjustment in patients with renal impairment see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Renal impairment does not affect the plasma concentrations of LIPITOR, therefore there is no dosage adjustment in patients with renal impairment see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Lovastatin and simvastatin, or other statins may also have drug interactions with grapefruit juice, and you should not drink grapefruit juice with these medications.
The drug may pass into breast milk, potentially harming a nursing infant. If you are breastfeeding and need to manage cholesterol, consult your healthcare provider about alternatives. You can also schedule a telemedicine appointment with one of our providers to discuss your options.
Side Effects
While atorvastatin won’t cause you to be drowsy or sleepy right after you take it, some people do experience a level of lower energy and tiredness (fatigue) throughout the day. Higher doses may worsen this effect, and women seem to be especially at risk. Fatigue or weakness may also be a sign of more serious effects, such as muscle problems or liver toxicity. Certain medications may interact with Atorvastatin and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking before starting Atorvastatin. In addition to statins, medications like Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, or GLP-1 receptor agonists may be prescribed.
Atorvastatin side effects
Approximately 70% of circulating inhibitory activity for HMG-CoA reductase is attributed to active metabolites. In animals, the ortho-hydroxy metabolite undergoes further glucuronidation. Renal impairment is a risk factor for myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have side effects that bother you or that will not go away. LIPITOR had no clinically significant effect on prothrombin time when administered to patients receiving chronic warfarin treatment. Plasma concentrations of LIPITOR are higher (approximately 40% for Cmax and 30% for AUC) in healthy elderly subjects (age ≥65 years) than in young adults. The atorvastatin oral route description and brand names safety and effectiveness of LIPITOR have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 10 years of age with HeFH or HoFH, or in pediatric patients with other types of hyperlipidemia (other than HeFH or HoFH). The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of LIPITOR. Concomitant use of LIPITOR with the following drugs requires dosage modification of LIPITOR see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS.