Atorvastatin: What is it and what is it for?

What is atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is a drug that is part of statins, a family of lipid-lowering drugs (that is, they lowerlipidlevels in the body), which is used as a treatment in diseases that occur with hyperlipidemia, such as familial hypercholesterolemia.

What is atorvastatin for?

• Atorvastatin, like any other statin, is an inhibitor of the enzyme hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA), responsible for the synthesis ofcholesterolin the liver. Thus, it decreases blood levels of LDL and VLDL (cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins).
• It is used to treat:
  • Primary hypercholesterolemia.
  • Familial hypercholesterolemia.
  • Prevention of cardiovascular events, such as angina pectoris ormyocardial infarctions.

Dosage and routes of administration of atorvastatin

Atorvastatin ismanufactured exclusively in tablet form. Its route of oral administration, created in this way to facilitate consumption by patients. The dosage varies according to the disease to be treated:

• 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg tablets: To lower LDL cholesterol levels in patients between 20 and 75 years of age with cardiovascular risk factors (LDL ≥190 mg/dl, type 2 diabetes mellitus, etc.), doses of 40-80 mg are recommended.(1)

What products contain atorvastatin?

Some of the medicines that contain atorvastatin are:

• Atoris®
• Atorvastatin almus®
• Lipitor®

Atoris®

• Atoris® is a lipid-lowering drug that lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
• The use of pharmacological agents that lower blood lipid levels should be accompanied by other preventive measures, such as Dietary Modifications and increased levels of physical activity.

Atorvastatin Almus®

• Atorvastatin almus® is a lipid-lowering drug whose active ingredient is atorvastatin, a medicine used to treat lipid-lowering disease and reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents such as myocardial infarction.
• Some studies have suggested that the use of atorvastatin significantly lowers blood cholesterol levels, compared to pitavastatin. (two)

Lipitor®

• Lipitor® is a drug whose Active principle is atorvastatin , which reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.
• This drug also has other functions in the body, such as decreasing platelet aggregation or C-reactive protein (blood marker of inflammation levels in people).

Atorvastatin Side Effects

• Hypersensitivity reactions (allergic rhinitis, pruritus and urticaria).
• Gastrointestinal discomfort ( constipation or diarrhea ).
• Muscle pain, cramps and exceptionally rhabdomyolysis (rupture of muscle fibers).
• Elevation of creatinine kinase and liver transaminases (AST and ALT).

Important: If they present any of the effects mentioned above, it is recommended to stop using the medication and consult with the treating physician for more information.

Atorvastatin Contraindications and Warnings

The consumption of atorvastatin is contraindicated in the following cases:

• Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin.
• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Patients at risk of myopathies (skeletal muscle diseases) should be monitored more frequently, due to the high risk of muscle pain and rhabdomyolysis.

Avoid if you have:

• Than drive vehicles or operate tools and machinery.
• Severe liver disease (liver failure or hepatitis).
• HIV and is being treated for hepatitis C virus coinfection (antiretrovirals raise atorvastatin plasma levels). (3)

Warnings:

• Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels should be assessed prior to initiation of atorvastatin therapy.
• The patient’s liver function should be evaluated to avoid possible adverse effects.
• This medicine contains lactose and sucrose, it is recommended to consult a doctor in case of intolerance.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking atorvastatin.
• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
• This drug should be stored in a cool and safe place.