MedDataToolAtorvastatin calcium is a medication used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart-related issues like heart attacks and strokes. It works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol, which helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood. You take it as a tablet once a day, starting with a dose of 10 or 20 mg, and it can go up to a maximum of 80 mg if needed. It's important to know that this medication should not be taken if you have liver problems. Additionally, if you are taking certain antiviral medications, like those for HIV, your doctor may need to adjust your atorvastatin dose to avoid side effects.
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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 in adults with multiple risk factors for CHD.
- Reduce risk of angina in adults with multiple risk factors for CHD.
- Reduce risk of MI and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and multiple risk factors for CHD.
- Reduce LDL cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia.
- Reduce LDL cholesterol in adults and children aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
- Reduce LDL cholesterol in adults and children aged 10 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).
- Treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia in adults.
- Treat hypertriglyceridemia in adults.
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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
rhabdomyolysisliver dysfunctionincreases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
- Risk of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.
- Risk of liver dysfunction.
- Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels.
- Use caution with certain antiviral medications and azole antifungals.
- Monitor liver enzymes in patients with liver disease.
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Drug interactions
- Cyclosporineincreases atorvastatin levelsMonitor
- Gemfibrozilincreases risk of myopathyMonitor
- Clarithromycinincreases atorvastatin levelsMonitor
- Itraconazoleincreases atorvastatin levelsMonitor
- Rifampinreduces atorvastatin levelsCaution
- Digoxinincreases digoxin levelsMonitor
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).