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Atorvastatin

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Lipitor

    • Lipid-Lowering Agents, Statins; 
    • HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

    Potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor 
    Used to treat hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, to prevent cardiovascular events in patients at risk for CHD or with clinical evidence of CHD, and for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia; reduces LDL cholesterol, apoprotein B, and triglycerides; increases HDL
    Has a long half-life and high hepatic selectivity

    Indicated for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, including hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, or hypertriglyceridemia, as an adjunct to dietary control, for the purpose of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction prophylaxis, stroke prophylaxis).

    For slowing the progression of atherosclerosis (e.g., carotid, coronary, femoral).
    For cerebral vasospasm prophylaxis after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
    For the treatment of chronic heart failure.
    For graft coronary artery disease prevention after heart transplantation.

    Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin

    Active liver disease or unexplained transaminase elevation

    Diarrhea (5-14%)

    Nasopharyngitis (4-13%)

    Arthralgia (4-12%)

    Insomnia (1-5%)

    Urinary tract infection (4-8%)

    Nausea (4-7%)

    Dyspepsia (3-6%)

    Increased transaminases (2-3%)

    Muscle spasms (2-5%)

    Musculoskeletal pain (2-5%)

    Myalgia (3-8%)

    Limb pain (3-8%)

    Pharyngolaryngeal pain (1-4%)

    Angina

    Syncope

    Dyspnea

    Myopathy

    Anaphylaxis

    Stevens-Johnson syndrome

    Myositis

    Nonserious and reversible cognitive side effects may occur

    Increased blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels reported with statin intake

    Heavy alcohol use, renal failure, history of liver disease

    Fatal and nonfatal hepatic failure reported (rare)

    Owing to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors decrease cholesterol synthesis and possibly the synthesis of other biologically active substances derived from cholesterol, fetal harm may occur when administered to pregnant females

    There is no available information on effects of drug on breastfed infant or on milk production

    Adults

    80 mg/day PO.

    Geriatric

    80 mg/day PO.

    Adolescents

    20 mg/day PO.

    Children

    10 to 12 years: 20 mg/day PO.
    6 to 9 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, doses up to 10 mg/day PO have been included in some study protocols.
    1 to 5 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Atorvastatin calcium

    tablet

    • 10mg
    • 20mg
    • 40mg
    • 80mg