Author: Charles Frank

Atorvastatin Oral Route Description and Brand Names

Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as “statins.” It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. It is usually taken once a day with or without food.

People take atorvastatin to lower their risk of a stroke or heart attack. For the best results, exercise and eat healthy while taking atorvastatin. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in the elderly.

However, time of administration does not affect the plasma LDL-C-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with atorvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with atorvastatin.

Side effects

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in children 10 to 17 years of age. Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels, liver function) should be done while you are taking this medication. Grapefruit may interact with atorvastatin and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products and drinking more than 1.2 liters of grapefruit juice each day. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat or cholesterol.

1. Continue to take atorvastatin even if you feel well.
2. Call your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
3. This drug works by lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol.
4. FDA expects removing the contraindication will enable health care professionals and patients to make individual decisions about benefit and risk, especially for those at very high risk of heart attack or stroke.

Atorvastatin is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. You should take statins at bedtime because your liver makes most of your cholesterol at night. This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests during your treatment , especially if you develop symptoms of liver damage. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. But a study found that many people who take statins eat more calories and fat than people who don’t take statins.

How to use Atorvastatin 20 Mg/5 Ml (4 Mg/Ml) Oral Suspension

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. There are other drugs available to treat your condition.

Atorvastatin metabolism is primarily through cytochrome P450 3A4 hydroxylation to form active ortho- and parahydroxylated metabolites, as well as various beta-oxidation metabolites. The ortho- and parahydroxylated metabolites are responsible for 70% of systemic HMG-CoA reductase activity. The ortho-hydroxy metabolite undergoes further metabolism via glucuronidation. As a substrate for the CYP3A4 isozyme, it has shown susceptibility to inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4 to produce increased or decreased plasma concentrations, respectively. This interaction was tested in vitro with concurrent administration of erythromycin, a known CYP3A4 isozyme inhibitor, which resulted in increased plasma concentrations of atorvastatin. People with advanced liver disease shouldn’t use statin medications.

What is this medication?

This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. A very small number of people taking atorvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.

Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.

Store the suspension form in the original container. Discard the suspension form 60 days after opening the bottle, even if there is medication left. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Do not change your dose or stop taking any of your medications without your doctor’s advice. You should not use atorvastatin if you are allergic to it, or if you have liver failure or cirrhosis.

If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking atorvastatin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Avoid eating foods high in fat or cholesterol, or atorvastatin will not be as effective. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.