How to Take Atorvastatin for Lowering Cholesterol

Atorvastatin is a remedy that reduces the level of lipoproteins in the blood.

So, the name of the active component of this drug coincides with its name Atorvastatin - the basis of the preparations of Vazilip, Liprimar, Atoris. Treatment with this drug reduces the concentration of lipoproteins in the human body. In other words, this drug is able to reduce cholesterol.

On this page you will find all information about atorvastatin: the full instructions for use on this medication, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already used Atorvastatin. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Lipid-lowering drug.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

It is released on prescription.

Price list

How much is atorvastatin? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of120 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

Atorvastatin is produced in coated tablets, in blisters of 10 pieces, in a cardboard bundle of 3 blisters.

instagram viewer

Each tablet contains an active substance - atorvastatin - at 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg.

Pharmacological effect

Conditionally, there are 3 main directions in which "Atorvastatin" acts on the body:

"Atorvastatin" and its analogues affect the part of the cholesterol metabolism that concerns its biosynthesis. This substance, as a result of a complex of biochemical reactions, inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol. After such exposure, the concentration of the atherogenic fraction of lipids, and subsequently the intracellular content of cholesterol, decreases and the share of useful fats increases. The consequence of the use of this substance is a significant slowdown in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques.
It has "Atorvastatin" and an antioxidant effect, due to which it protects the internal surface of the vessels from the negative effects of free radicals.
In addition, this substance can positively influence the rheological parameters of the blood, reducing its viscosity, which contributes to a significant improvement in hemodynamics and microcirculation in tissues.

Indications for use

This drug is used as part of a comprehensive treatment to reduce the level of total cholesterol in the blood, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides. The drug is able to significantly increase the concentration of high-density lipoproteins.

The use of atorvastatin is appropriate for improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system, as well as for prevention such diseases as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, angina and stroke.

Atorvastatin is used in pediatrics as a drug that reduces the overall level of cholesterol and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Contraindications

Since this is a synthetic remedy, he has a number of contraindications to admission. The drug "Atorvastatin" instructions for use prohibits taking if the patient has:

individual hyper-reaction to active and auxiliary components of the drug "Atorvastatin", from which these tablets can cause allergies;
children's age until reaching 10 - 12 years;
lactose intolerance;
cross allergic reactions to a subgroup of statins;
presence of severe disorders in the structures of the liver, kidneys;
period of gestation of the baby, his subsequent lactation;
presence of galactosemia syndrome.

Special caution is required in case of detection of the need for taking a medication against the background of somatic pathologies - structures of the gastrointestinal tract, hypotension, infectious lesions, alcoholism, epiprids, acute period of stroke. In this case, the question of including a drug in a complex therapy is decided individually.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that before the appointment of the drug Atorvastatin the patient should be recommended a standard lipid-lowering diet, which he must continue to observe during the entire period of therapy.

Atorvastatin is taken orally, at any time of the day with food or regardless of the time of ingestion. The dose is selected taking into account the initial levels of cholesterol / LDL, the purpose of therapy and individual effect.

The initial dose is on average 10 mg 1 time / day. The dose varies from 10 to 80 mg 1 time / day.
At the beginning of treatment and / or during a dose increase, atorvastatin should be monitored every 2-4 weeks for blood lipids and adjust the dose accordingly.
With primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed hyperlipidemia, as well as Fredrickson type III and IV hyperlipidemia, in most cases it is enough to prescribe the drug at a dose of 10 mg once a day. A significant therapeutic effect is observed, as a rule, after 2 weeks; The maximum therapeutic effect is usually observed after 4 weeks. With prolonged treatment, this effect persists.
With homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, the drug is prescribed in a dose of 80 mg (4 tablets). 20 mg each) 1 time / day.

In case of liver failure, the dose should be reduced.

Side effects

Atorvastatin can cause a number of side effects. These include:

On the part of the digestive system - a decrease in appetite, a sharp loss of weight, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, flatulence, indigestion, pancreatitis, constipation, colitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholestasis, hepatitis;
From the side of the central nervous system - headache, dizziness, loss of coordination, asthenia, neuropathy, spasms, hallucinations;
From the circulatory system - circulatory disorders, thrombocytopenia;
On the part of the musculoskeletal system - myositis, muscle spasms and cramps, pain in the joints.

Atorvastatin can provoke allergic reactions, including itching, urticaria, dermatitis, bronchospasm, and alopecia. This drug in high dosages increases the risk of developing fungal diseases, myalgia, memory impairment and increased fatigue.

Overdose

When an overdose can developrhabdomyolysisand violations of the liver. In such cases, it is necessary to wash the stomach, then take enterosorbent drugs. If necessary, you can conduct symptomatic treatment.

special instructions

Before you start taking medication Atorvastatin should try to normalize the level of cholesterol by adjusting the diet.

Use of the drug Atorvastatin may cause the development of myopathy (pain and weakness in the muscles). If this disease is suspected, the drug should be stopped immediately. The risk of myopathy increases with simultaneous use of atorvastatin with cyclosporine, fibrates, erythromycin, nicotinic acid, antifungal agents.

On the background of taking atorvastatin should be very careful when driving vehicles and performing works that require increased concentration of attention.

Drug Interactions

The simultaneous use of atorvastatin with:

Digoxin leads to an increase in digoxin concentration;
Colestipol or drugs to reduce the concentration of hydrochloric acid, containing magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide, leads to a decrease in concentration;
Erythromycin, Itraconazole, Clarithromycin, Verapamil, protease inhibiting drugs, Diltiazem or Iradipine leads to increased concentrations;
Ethinyl estradiol or noretimteron conducts to a slight increase in their concentration;
Antifungal drugs from the group of azole derivatives, Cyclosporine, drugs of the fibrate group or nicotinic acid leads to multiple defeats of the muscles.

Reviews

We picked up some feedback from people about the drug Atorvastatin:

Anna. In March, I was hospitalized with an arrhythmia. I am 68 years old. the doctor appointed aegilok, atorvastatin and elikvis. What started here! Never in my life had I suffered from problems with the bladder, now, and already three months have passed, low back pain, frequent urination, burning with urination, that's decided to abandon this atorvastatin. We heal one, and cripple the other! I bought herbal Altai gatherings, I will now treat them with urea! For a long time, but without side effects! How do you feel about the side effects-so the hair dies! They write that the doctor should be monitored, but who controls us there? Controlled only money in our wallet, which we pay for these miracle medicines in quotes! As if they are made of pure gold and diamonds!
Karina. I accept atorvastatin for a long time. I have glaucoma. Unfortunately, only now I saw that glaucoma is a side effect of this drug. So I should not take it and my eyesight got worse ...
Eugene. I was on a diet, but the cardiologist said that with my IHD only the diet will not help and appointed Novostat. Cholesterol decreased from 7.5 to 3.0. At reception any pobochek was not.

In general, reviews about Atorvastatin in the forums indicate a high effectiveness of the drug, but it should be taken into account that the drug can not be combined with many other substances.

Analogues

To date, the following analogues of the drug "Atorvastatin" are known and widely used:

"Vazator";
"Atoris";
Atorvastatin-Teva;
«Lipimar»
and others.

The differences between these drugs are limited to the manufacturer and the country of origin. All medicines with a similar composition have different names, which allows them to be patented. Since there is no difference in the active substance, these medicines can be considered as full-value replacements of the drug "Atorvastatin".

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.