Atorvastatin

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Molecule Description

Atorvastatin is a medication used to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, also known as a statin. This medicine is used as an adjunct to diet in patients with high cholesterol and abnormal cholesterol levels. This medication reduces the body's ability to synthesise cholesterol. You should take this medicine as advised by your doctor in the prescribed doses, at a fixed time to gain optimum benefits. To maximise the benefits of Atorvastatin, it is recommended to avoid consuming high-fat, fried, or junk foods and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Uses

Atorvastatin is said to lower cholesterol levels.
It is also used to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Contraindications

When should one not use Atorvastatin

If you are allergic to Atorvastatin.
If you have liver disease and your liver tests are abnormal.
If you are being treated with medicines for hepatitis C, like glecaprevir or pibrentasvir.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Headache
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Indigestion
Constipation
Muscle pain
Joint pains

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, as there is limited information about its effect on pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use proper contraceptive measures while taking this medicine. If you think you are pregnant or pregnancy is detected while taking this medicine, inform your doctor immediately.

Breast Feeding

It is not known if this medicine passes into human milk. Therefore, this medication should not be taken while breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Driving

Atorvastatin has negligible influence on the ability to drive.

Alcohol

There is no known interaction of alcohol with Atorvastatin. However, alcohol may increase the risk of liver damage and side effects. Thus, always talk to your doctor if you drink it often.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have any underlying medical condition like diabetes, liver or kidney disease, thyroid problems, respiratory problems, muscle-related problems.
You have a history of stroke with bleeding inside the brain.
You have repeated muscle pains or a history of muscle-related problems
You have recently, or in the last 7 days, taken medicine for a bacterial infection, such as fusidic acid, as this may cause serious muscle injury
You are an alcoholic.
You are elderly, above 70 years of age.
You are already taking any other medicines for health conditions.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Atorvastatin acts by inhibiting the action of an enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is essential for cholesterol formation. Thus, Atorvastatin lowers the blood cholesterol levels. It also increases the good cholesterol known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way Atorvastatin works or Atorvastatin itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines if taken at the same time.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
Especially if you are taking other cholesterol-lowering medicines, anticoagulants like warfarin, blood pressure-lowering medicines, painkillers like phenazone, anti-infectives, anti-HIV medicines like ritonavir, medicines used to treat hepatitis C like telaprevir, antacids etc.

Interactions with food items

You should avoid consuming grapefruit juice during the treatment, as it can alter the effect of Atorvastatin.

Dosage

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

It would be best if you took the doses at the appropriate time for the desired effect. If you missed any dose of medicine take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule. Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, sometimes atorvastatin can cause acidity or heartburn as a side effect. However, not everyone experiences the side effect. Talk to your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or get worse.

Avoid fried and junk foodAvoid carbonated drinksAvoid grapefruit juice with this medicine.Have the last meal of the day at least 3-4 hours before bedtime.

No, you should not suddenly stop taking medicine without consulting your doctor.

Yes, Atorvastatin is used to lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and improve levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. This medicine helps lower overall high cholesterol levels.

Try to take your medicine at the same time every day. Try connecting your medicine with something you do every day, such as brushing your teeth at night or having your dinner. This may help you remember to take it. Keep a daily calendar or set an alarm clock to go at the time you need to take your medicine.

No, it is not a blood thinner. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that works by reducing the body's cholesterol synthesis.

Headache, nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, constipation, and muscle pain are a few common side effects of Atorvastatin. Although not everyone gets them. Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Atorvastatin is used to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

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