Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
About Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is used in the prevention of heart attack, myocardial infarction (blockage of the blood to muscles of the heart), angina (chest pain), and stroke. A heart attack occurs when your coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the heart) become blocked due to the buildup of fats (plaque), including cholesterol.
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is a combination of Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel. Atorvastatin blocks the ability of the body to produce bad cholesterol and improves the ability of the body to make good cholesterol. Clopidogrel works by decreasing the production of clots, which is harmful to the body.
Not everyone who is taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel will get these side effects. You may sometimes experience headaches, ankle swelling (oedema), slow heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Inform your physician if you are allergic to Atorvastatin+clopidogrel. Before starting the dose of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel, let your doctor know if you are sensitive to atorvastatin or clopidogrel or have any active liver disease (liver enzyme abnormalities), active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), or muscle problems (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis), or if you are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Uses of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
Medicinal Benefits
- Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body.
- Atorvastatin+clopidogrel helps lower the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL).
- Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents clot formation in the blood vessels.
- It reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Directions for Use
• Atorvastatin+clopidogrel can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor. • Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety. • Swallow Atorvastatin+clopidogrel as a whole with a glass of water. • Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
- Stomach bleeding
- Nose bleeding
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ulcer
- Muscle disease (like myopathy, rhabdomyolysis)
- Abdominal pain
Drug Warnings
- Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to Atorvastatin or clopidogrel, have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
- The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken.
- Atorvastatin present in Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is a pregnancy category X drug, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. It may cause harm to the foetus if administered to pregnant women.
- The risk of muscle disease might increase if Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is taken with an antibiotic (clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole).
- Coadministration with anticoagulants like warfarin may cause gastric bleeding and other bleeding problems. So, if you are using any blood-thinning agents, let your doctor know.
- Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains atorvastatin, which can cause muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
- Patients with active liver disease should use the Atorvastatin+clopidogrel with caution.
- The safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established, so its use should be avoided in paediatric patients or children younger than ten years of age.
- Discontinuation of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may lead to cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke and angina (heart-related chest pain). Hence, you should consult a doctor before stopping the dose of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Atorvastatin+clopidogrel interacts with antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir), antifungal (e.g. itraconazole), blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, coumadin, heparin), anti-arthritis drug (e.g. colchicine), heart-related medicine (e.g. digoxin) and immune system affecting drug (e.g. cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcoholic beverages and grapefruit or its juice intake should be avoided with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel. It may interact with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel to produce unpleasant side effects like muscle problems and bleeding disorder.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Caution should be exercised while using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel in patients with active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), muscle problems or musculoskeletal problems (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), asthma, and purpura (blood leakage under the skin).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAtorvastatin+clopidogrel should not be taken with alcohol as it may worsen your liver condition with increased secretion of liver enzymes like transaminase. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeAtorvastatin+clopidogrel contains atorvastatin, which is a pregnancy category X medicine. It may cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the fetus. Hence, it is not recommended for pregnant women and those who are planning a pregnancy. Your doctor might prescribe it only in an extreme case.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorTake Atorvastatin+clopidogrel only when prescribed, as it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel usually causes blurry vision and may affect driving ability.
Liver
cautionAtorvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionAtorvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeAtorvastatin+clopidogrel is not recommended for children below the age of 10 years. The safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established in children due to limited testing of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A low-cholesterol diet along with a regular exercise regimen is found to complement treatment with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel effectively.
- Stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal and avoid processed, packaged foods that contain hidden sugar and extra calories.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) quickly.
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so eating them regularly is beneficial.
- Include a diet enriched in fats like fish oils, polyunsaturated oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
Special Advise
If you have a high cholesterol level, try to have a lipid profile test (LFT) every 6 months.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances known as plaque deposit on your artery walls that restrict blood flow. This plaque formation triggers blood clots, narrows the arteries' size, and hardens them. This, in turn, can lead to various heart complications like atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart-related chest pain (angina), and stroke. However, it can also affect the body's arteries apart from the heart.
FAQs
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is used to treat Hyperlipidemia (Increased cholesterol), heart attack prevention, and stroke prevention.
Yes, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains clopidogrel which prevents blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming clots which in turn prevents the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Yes, taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel can increase the risk of bleeding as it contains aspirin and clopidogrel, which belong to a class of blood-thinning agents. So, please be very cautious while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid any bleeding. Let your doctor know before undergoing any surgical procedure that you are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
No. Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains Atorvastatin, which is a pregnancy category X medicine and can cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the unborn baby. Even if you are planning for pregnancy, tell your doctor that you are using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Yes, prolonged use of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may cause muscle diseases like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So if you feel any musculoskeletal pain after taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel consult your doctor about this issue.
Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood-thinning effect of your medicine.
Drinking alcohol with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may damage your liver and increase liver enzymes like transaminase. So, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel should be used with caution by those who consume alcohol and/or have a past history of liver disease.
If you accidentally take an overdose of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel you may have liver problems (increased secretion of liver enzymes) and bleeding complications. If problems persist you should immediately go to the nearby clinic or hospital.
You should have a total lipid profile (TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TC) and Blood coagulation tests like Complete blood count (CBC), Factor V assay, Fibrinogen Test, Prothrombin time (PT or PT-INR), Platelet count, Thrombin time and Bleeding time to analyze your blood clot timing and cholesterol level.
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may cause acidity in some cases. Stick to simple meals and avoid spicy food. Do not lie down immediately after eating, as it might cause acidity.
Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Avoid smoking and drinking, and try to work out every day.
Do not discontinue Atorvastatin+clopidogrel without consulting your doctor. Stopping using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may worsen your condition and increase your risk of a future heart attack. To treat your condition effectively, keep taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel for the prescribed duration.
Yes, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is good for cholesterol. It lowers bad cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol.
As Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may increase the risk of bleeding, the doctor may ask you to stop taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel before surgery or a dental procedure. Inform the doctor that you are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel if you are due to undergo any surgery.
A low cholesterol diet along with a regular exercise regime is found to complement treatment with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel effectively. Avoid fast foods, fried and processed foods.
Paracetamol may be safe while taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel as other painkillers may increase the risk of bleeding. However, consult the doctor before taking any painkillers with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Consult the doctor before taking other medicines like antibiotics, anti-HIV drugs, antifungal medication, blood thinners, anti-arthritis drugs, heart-related medicines and immune system-affecting drugs with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Store Atorvastatin+clopidogrel at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Side effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel include headaches, ankle swelling (oedema), slow heart rate, and nausea. If the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
