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Generic Name: Atorvastatin
What is the most important information I
should know about atorvastatin?
Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with
the use of atorvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor
immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness,
especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the
skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale
colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
Do not take atorvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have
liver disease.
Alcohol and atorvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should
be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that
the potential for liver problems can be determined.
Do not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant, could become pregnant during
treatment, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
What is atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor. Atorvastatin blocks the
production of cholesterol (a type of fat) in the body.
Atorvastatin is used to reduce the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total
cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a
protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Atorvastatin is also used to
increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood. These actions are
important in reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, which can lead to
heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Atorvastatin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare
provider before taking atorvastatin?
Do not take atorvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you have
liver disease.
Before taking atorvastatin, tell your doctor if you
drink alcoholic beverages,
have a chronic muscular disease,
require major surgery, or
have a blood disorder.
You may not be able to take atorvastatin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
Atorvastatin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that
atorvastatin is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do
not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether atorvastatin passes into breast milk. Do not take
this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take atorvastatin?
Take atorvastatin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain
them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Atorvastatin can be taken with or without food.
Atorvastatin is usually taken once a day. Try to take your dose at the same
time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Your doctor may want to monitor your liver function with blood tests before
starting treatment with atorvastatin, at twelve weeks after both the start of
your treatment and any increase in dose, and periodically (every 6 months)
thereafter. Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor can determine
how much monitoring you will require.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with atorvastatin. The
interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of
grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease
the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your
doctor.
Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. To realize beneficial effects from
atorvastatin, avoid fatty, high-cholesterol foods.
It is important to take atorvastatin regularly to get the most benefit.
Do not stop taking atorvastatin without first talking to your doctor.
Atorvastatin may need to be taken on a long-term basis for the treatment of high
cholesterol.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations
during treatment with atorvastatin to monitor progress and side effects.
Store atorvastatin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time
for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly
scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
The symptoms of an atorvastatin overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking atorvastatin?
Alcohol and atorvastatin can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should
be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that
the potential for liver problems can be determined.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with atorvastatin. The
interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of
grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease
the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your
doctor.
What are the possible side effects of atorvastatin?
Rare cases of muscle problems and liver problems have been associated with
the use of atorvastatin and other similar medicines. Contact your doctor
immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness,
especially if accompanied by a fever or flulike symptoms or yellowing of the
skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale
colored stools. These may be early symptoms of muscle or liver problems.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
atorvastatin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor
immediately:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
blurred vision.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take atorvastatin and talk to your doctor if you experience
headache;
upset stomach or flatulence; or
a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect
atorvastatin?
Do not take atorvastatin without first talking to your doctor if you are
taking any of the following medicines:
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate (Atromid-S), or fenofibrate (Tricor);
niacin (Nicolar, Nicobid, Slo-Niacin, others);
erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
hormonal birth control (pills, patches, or implants); or
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan),
or ketoconazole (Nizoral).
You may not be able to take atorvastatin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with atorvastatin. Talk
to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
How do brand-name drugs and generics
differ?
When scientists develop a new drug, they give it a generic name reflecting its
chemical makeup. Once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the drug,
the manufacturer markets it with a brand or trade name, which is usually shorter
and easier to remember. A drug company can hold exclusive patent rights to make
a drug for 20 years after its discovery. After that, other companies can start
making generic versions of the drug.
In almost all cases,
generics work as well as their brand-name siblings, and often cost considerably
less. This is possible not because of lower quality, but because research and
advertising costs are much less for generics.
Disclaimer:
This information is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Be sure to contact your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider for
more information about this medication.
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