| Information for
patients
|
| Drug Information |
Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) regulating medicines.
Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low fat diet
and life style changes on their own have failed. If you are at an increased risk of heart disease, Atorvastatin
can also be used to reduce such risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal. You should maintain a
standard cholesterol lowering diet during treatment |
| Drug Alert |
| Alert |
if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to Atorvastatin or to any similar medicines used to lower blood lipids or to any of the other ingredients of the medicine – if you have or have ever had a disease which affects the liver if you have had any unexplained abnormal blood tests for liver function |
| Before Consuming
the Medicine
|
| Avoid Drug |
if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to Atorvastatin or to any similar medicines used to lower blood lipids or to any of the other ingredients of the medicine – if you have or have ever had a disease which affects the liver
if you have had any unexplained abnormal blood tests for liver function
if you are a woman able to have children and not using reliable contraception
if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant if you are breast-feeding. |
| Drug Special Care |
The following are reasons why Atorvastatin may not be suitable for you:
if you have had a previous stroke with bleeding into the brain, or have small pockets of fluid in the brain from previous strokes
if you have kidney problems
if you have an under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
if you have had repeated or unexplained muscle aches or pains, a personal history or family
history of muscle problems
if you have had previous muscular problems during treatment with other lipid-lowering medicines (e.g. other ‘-statin’ or ‘-fibrate’ medicines)
if you regularly drink a large amount of alcohol
if you have a history of liver disease
if you are older than 70 years. |
| Drug Drug Interactions |
There are some medicines that may change the effect of Atorvastatin or their effect may be changed by
Atorvastatin. This type of interaction could make one or both of the medicines less effective. Alternatively
it could increase the risk or severity of side-effects, including the important muscle wasting condition
known as rhabdomyolysis described
Medicines used to alter the way your immune system works, e.g. ciclosporin
Certain antibiotics or antifungal medicines, e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin,
ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, rifampin, fusidic acid
Other medicines to regulate lipid levels, e.g. gemfibrozil, other fibrates, colestipol
Some calcium channel blockers used for angina or high blood pressure, e.g. amlodipine,diltiazem,; medicines to regulate your heart rhythm e.g. digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone
Medicines used in the treatment of HIV e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir,darunavir, etc.
Other medicines known to interact with Atorvastatin include ezetimibe (which lowers cholesterol),warfarin (which reduces blood clotting), oral contraceptives, stiripentol (an anti-convulsant for epilepsy), cimetidine (used for heartburn and peptic ulcers), phenazone (a painkiller) and
antacids (indigestion products containing aluminium or magnesium)
Medicines obtained without a prescription: St John’s Wort
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines,
including medicines obtained without a prescription. |
| Drug Pregnancy Interaction |
Do not take Atorvastatin if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant. |
| Drug Breast feeding Interaction |
Do not take Atorvastatin if you are able to become pregnant unless you use reliable contraceptive measures. |
| Drug Machinery Interaction |
Normally this medicine does not affect your ability to drive or operate machines. However, do not drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive. Do not use any tools or machines if your ability to
use them is affected by this medicine. |
| Drug More Information |
Grapefruit juice
Do not take more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice per day because large quantities of
grapefruit juice can change the effects of Atorvastatin.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking too much alcohol while taking this medicine. See Section 2 “Take special care with
Atorvastatin” for details |
| How to take the
Medicine
|
| Consumption Info |
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor
before taking this medicine. |
| Drug quanitty |
The usual starting dose of Atorvastatin is 10 mg once a day in adults and children aged 10
years or older. This may be increased if necessary by your doctor until you are taking the amount you
need. Your doctor will adapt the dose at intervals of 4 weeks or more. The maximum dose of Atorvastatin
is 80 mg once daily for adults and 20 mg once daily for children. |
| Drug Dose |
Before starting treatment, your doctor will place you on a low-cholesterol diet, which you should
maintain also during therapy with Atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water, and can be taken at any time of day,
with or without food. However, try to take your tablet at the same time every day.
Always take Atorvastatin exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
The duration of treatment with Atorvastatin is determined by your doctor.
Please ask your doctor if you think that the effect of Atorvastatin is too strong or too weak. |
| Excess Drug Consumption |
If you accidently take too many Atorvastatin tablets (more than your usual daily dose), contact your doctor
or nearest hospital for advice. |
| Forgot Drug Consumption |
If you forget to take a dose, just take your next scheduled dose at the correct time. Do not take a
double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. |
| Stop Drug Consumption |
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine or wish to stop your treatment, ask your
doctor or pharmacist. |
| Possible Side
Effects
|
| General Information |
Sexual difficulties
•Depression
•Breathing problems including persistent cough and/or shortness of breath or fever
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please
tell your doctor or pharmacist. |
| Common Drug Side Effects |
inflammation of the nasal passages, pain in the throat, nose bleed
•allergic reactions
•increases in blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes continue careful monitoring of your blood
sugar levels), increase in blood creatine kinase
•headache
•nausea, constipation, wind, indigestion, diarrhoea
•joint pain, muscle pain and back pain
•blood test results that show your liver function can become abnormal
. |
| Rare Drug Side Effects |
visual disturbance
•unexpected bleeding or bruising
•cholestasis (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
•tendon injury |
| Very Rare Drug Side Effects |
an allergic reaction - symptoms may include sudden wheezing and chest pain or tightness,
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, collapse
•hearing loss
•gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men and women). |
| Drug Side Effects Symptoms |
Like all medicines, Atorvastatin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking your tablets and tell your
doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital accident and emergency department. |
| How to Store the
Medicine
|
| How to Store the Medicine |
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use Atorvastatin after the expiry date which is stated on the container and outer packaging after
{EXP}. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. |
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