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|Atorvastatin calcium Atorvastatin Calcium

Atorvastatin calcium

Generic name: Atorvastatin calcium
Brand names: Lipitor

Why is Atorvastatin calcium prescribed?

Atorvastatin calcium is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it along with a special diet if your blood cholesterol or triglyceride level is high and you have been unable to lower your readings by diet alone. The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body"s ability to form new LDL cholesterol.

Your doctor may prescribe Atorvastatin calcium to reduce your chances of having a heart attack or developing heart disease if you have any of the following risk factors:

• Are age 55 years or older.
• Smoke.
• Have high blood pressure.
• Have low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein--the good cholesterol).
• Have a family history of early heart disease.

For people at high risk of heart disease, the doctor may suggest a cholesterol-lowering medication if LDL readings are 130 or more. For those at low risk, a medication is considered at readings of 190 or more.

Most important fact about Atorvastatin calcium

Atorvastatin calcium is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It"s important to remember that Atorvastatin calcium is a supplement--not a substitute--for those other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor. All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important because they may lower your risk of heart disease.

How should you take Atorvastatin calcium?

Atorvastatin calcium should be taken once a day, with or without food. You can take it in the morning or the evening, but should hold to the same time each day. The drug generally begins working within 2 weeks.

For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe Atorvastatin calcium along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as Questran or Colestid. It"s important to avoid taking the two drugs at the same time of day. Take Atorvastatin calcium at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after the other drug.

--If you miss a dose...

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature.

What side effects may occur?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Atorvastatin calcium.

• More common side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, abnormal heartbeat, accidental injury, allergic reaction, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, flu symptoms, fluid retention, gas, headache, indigestion, infection, inflammation of sinus and nasal passages, insomnia, joint pain, muscle aching or weakness, nausea, rash, stomach pain, urinary tract infection, weakness

Why should Atorvastatin calcium not be prescribed?

Never take Atorvastatin calcium during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should also avoid Atorvastatin calcium if you have liver disease, or if the drug gives you an allergic reaction.

Special warnings about Atorvastatin calcium

There is a slight chance of liver damage from Atorvastatin calcium, so your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver function before you start taking the drug, again 12 weeks after you begin therapy or your dosage is increased, and periodically thereafter. If the tests reveal a problem, you may have to stop using the drug.

Drugs like Atorvastatin calcium have occasionally been known to damage muscle tissue, so be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. Your doctor may want to do a blood test to check for signs of muscle damage.

If you are scheduled for major surgery, your doctor will have you stop taking Atorvastatin calcium a few days before the operation.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Atorvastatin calcium

If you take Atorvastatin calcium with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Atorvastatin calcium with any of the following:

Antacids such as Maalox TC Suspension
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Colestipol (Colestid)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Drugs that suppress the immune system
Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Niacin (Niaspan, Niacor, Slo-Niacin)
Oral contraceptives

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Developing babies need plenty of cholesterol, so this cholesterol-lowering drug should never be used during pregnancy. In fact, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe Atorvastatin calcium if there is even a chance that you may become pregnant. If you do conceive while taking Atorvastatin calcium, notify your doctor right away. Atorvastatin calcium does make its way into breast milk, so you should not take the drug while breastfeeding your baby.

Recommended dosage

You need to follow a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before starting Atorvastatin calcium, and should continue following it throughout your therapy.

ADULTS

The recommended starting dose is 10 or 20 milligrams once a day. (The doctor may start with 40 milligrams daily if your LDL levels need to be reduced by more than 45 percent.) The doctor will check your cholesterol levels every 2 to 4 weeks and adjust the dose accordingly. The maximum recommended daily dose is 80 milligrams.

CHILDREN 10 to 17 YEARS OLD

The recommended starting dose is 10 milligrams once a day. The dosage may be increased after 4 weeks, as determined by the doctor, up to a maximum of 20 milligrams a day. Girls must be having regular menstrual cycles before starting therapy with Atorvastatin calcium.

The safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin calcium in children under 10 years old or in doses greater than 20 milligrams a day have not been studied.

Overdosage

Although no specific information about Atorvastatin calcium overdose is available, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Atorvastatin calcium, seek medical attention.