MedDataToolAtorvastatin is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults, especially those with certain health risks or conditions like diabetes. It works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol, which helps lower the bad cholesterol in your blood. You take it as a tablet once a day, with a starting dose of 10 or 20 mg, and it can go up to a maximum of 80 mg daily if needed. It's important to know that atorvastatin should not be taken if you have liver problems. Additionally, if you are taking certain antiviral medications like saquinavir plus ritonavir, your dose of atorvastatin should not exceed 20 mg daily.
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Uses
- Reduce risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in adults with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Reduce risk of stroke in adults with multiple risk factors for CHD.
- Reduce risk of revascularization procedures and angina in adults with clinically evident CHD.
- Reduce risk of MI and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and multiple risk factors for CHD.
- Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia.
- Lower LDL cholesterol in children aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
- Lower LDL cholesterol in children aged 10 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).
- Treat adults with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia.
- Treat adults with hypertriglyceridemia.
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Dosage
Take once daily, with or without food.
Adults: Start with 10 or 20 mg, range 10 to 80 mg.
Children aged 10 years and older with HeFH: Start with 10 mg, range 10 to 20 mg.
Children aged 10 years and older with HoFH: Start with 10 to 20 mg, range 10 to 80 mg.
Assess LDL-C after 4 weeks and adjust if needed.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
nasopharyngitisarthralgiadiarrheapain in extremitiesurinary tract infectionmyopathy
Serious
rhabdomyolysisimmune-mediated necrotizing myopathyhepatic dysfunctionincreased HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
- Monitor liver function due to potential hepatic dysfunction.
- Increased blood sugar levels may occur.
- Use caution with certain anti-viral medications and azole antifungals.
- Dosage adjustments needed with specific drugs like cyclosporine and gemfibrozil.
- Elderly may have higher plasma concentrations.
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Drug interactions
- Cyclosporineincreases atorvastatin levelsMonitor
- Gemfibrozilincreases risk of myopathyMonitor
- Clarithromycindo not exceed atorvastatin 20 mgAvoid
- Itraconazoledo not exceed atorvastatin 20 mgAvoid
- Nelfinavirdo not exceed atorvastatin 40 mgAvoid
- Rifampinmay reduce atorvastatin levelsCaution
Ask about this drug
Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).