Lipitor
Lip·i·tor
L0191650 (lĭp′ĭ-tər, -tôr′)| Noun | 1. |  Lipitor - an oral drug (trade name Lipitor) that is effective in lowering triglycerides; potent in reducing LDL cholesterol because higher doses can be given |
Lipitor
atorvastatin calcium
Pharmacologic class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
Therapeutic class: Lipid-lowering agent
Pregnancy risk category X
Action
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, which catalyzes first step in cholesterol synthesis; this action reduces concentrations of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), linked to increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Also moderately increases concentration of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), associated with decreased risk of CAD.
Availability
Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Adjunct to diet for controlling LDL, total cholesterol, apo-lipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels and to increase HDL levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia; primary dysbetalipoproteinemia in patients unresponsive to diet alone; adjunct to diet to reduce elevated triglyceride levels
Adults: Initially, 10 mg P.O. daily; increase to 80 mg P.O. daily if needed. Adjust dosage according to patient's cholesterol level.
➣ Adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Adults: 10 to 80 mg P.O. daily
➣ Adjunct to diet to decrease total cholesterol, LDL, and apo-lipoprotein B levels in boys and postmenarchal girls ages 10 to 17 with familial and nonfamilial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia
Boys and girls: Initially, 10 mg P.O. daily; adjust dosage upward or downward based on lipid levels. Maximum dosage is 20 mg daily.
➣ Prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients without clinically evident coronary heart disease (CHD) but with multiple CHD risk factors
Adults: 10 mg P.O. daily
➣ Prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes who have multiple risk factors for CHD but without clinically evident CHD
Adults: Dosage individualized according to patient characteristics, such as goal of therapy and response according to National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components
• Active hepatic disease or unexplained, persistent serum transaminase elevations
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• hypotension, uncontrolled seizures, myopathy, alcoholism
• severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders
• concurrent use of cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors tipranavir or lopinavir plus ritonavir, hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor gemfibrozil (avoid use)
• concurrent use of colchicine, fibric acid products, lipid-modifying doses (1 g/day or more) of niacin, clarithromycin and itraconazole (with atorvastatin dose above 20 mg), or grapefruit juice (more than 1.2 L/day)
• women of childbearing age
• children younger than age 18.
Administration
• Give with or without food.
• Don't give with grapefruit juice or antacids.
• If patient is also taking a CYP450 3A4 inducer (such as efavirenz or rifampin), give simultaneously with atorvastatin because delayed atorvastatin administration after rifampin administration has been associated with a significant reduction in atorvastatin plasma concentration.
Adverse reactions
CNS: amnesia, abnormal dreams, emotional lability, headache, hyperactivity, poor coordination, malaise, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, drowsiness, syncope, weakness
CV: orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, phlebitis, vasodilation, arrhythmias
EENT: amblyopia, altered refraction, glaucoma, eye hemorrhage, dry eyes, hearing loss, tinnitus, epistaxis, sinusitis, pharyngitis
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps, abdominal or biliary pain, colitis, indigestion, dyspepsia, flatulence, stomach ulcers, gastroenteritis, melena, tenesmus, glossitis, mouth sores, dry mouth, dysphagia, esophagitis, pancreatitis, rectal hemorrhage
GU: hematuria, nocturia, dysuria, urinary frequency or urgency, urinary retention, cystitis, nephritis, renal calculi, abnormal ejaculation, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, epididymitis
Hematologic: anemia, thrombocytopenia
Hepatic: jaundice, hepatic failure, hepatitis
Metabolic: hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia
Musculoskeletal: bursitis, joint pain, back pain, leg cramps, gout, muscle pain or aches, myositis, myasthenia gravis, neck rigidity, torticollis, rhabdomyolysis
Respiratory: dyspnea, pneumonia, bronchitis
Skin: alopecia, acne, contact dermatitis, eczema, dry skin, pruritus, rash, urticaria, skin ulcers, seborrhea, photo-sensitivity, diaphoresis, toxic epidermal necrolysis
Other: taste loss, gingival bleeding, fever, facial paralysis, facial or generalized edema, flulike symptoms, infection, appetite changes, weight gain, allergic reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Interactions
Drug-drug. Antacids, colestipol, CYP450 3A4 (such as efavirenz, rifampin): decreased atorvastatin blood level
Azole antifungals, colchicine, cyclosporine, erythromycin, fibric acid derivatives, HIV protease inhibitors, lipid-modifying doses of niacin, other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as clarithromycin, itraconazole): protease inhibitors: increased risk of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
Digoxin: increased digoxin level, greater risk of toxicity
Hormonal contraceptives: increased levels of these drugs
Drug-diagnostic tests. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase: increased levels
Drug-food. Grapefruit juice: increased drug blood level, greater risk of adverse effects
Patient monitoring
• Monitor patient for signs and symptoms of allergic response.
See Evaluate for muscle weakness (a symptom of myositis and possibly rhabdomyolysis).
• Be aware that reduction in dosage and periodic monitoring of creatine kinase level may be considered for patients taking drugs that may increase atorvastatin level.
• Monitor liver function test results and blood lipid levels.
Patient teaching
• Tell patient he may take drug with or without food.
See Advise patient to immediately report allergic response, irregular heart beats, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness, yellowing of skin or eyes, or muscle weakness.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows how drug affects concentration, alertness, and vision.
• Inform patient taking hormonal contraceptives that drug increases estrogen levels. Instruct her to tell all prescribers she's taking drug.
• Tell men that drug may cause erectile dysfunction and abnormal ejaculation. Encourage them to discuss these issues with prescriber.
• Tell patient he'll undergo regular blood testing during therapy.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, foods, and herbs mentioned above.
Lipitor
(lĭp′ĭ-tər, -tôr′)atorvastatin
A cholesterol-lowering HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin, which improves the lipid profile—LDL-C reduced 35% to 60%; TGs reduced 20–37%; HDL-C increased 5–9%.Adverse effects
Liver dysfunction, rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria, constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, myalgia, weakness.
Indications
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, severe refractory hypercholesterolaemia.
Lipitor®
Atorvastatin Cardiology A statin which ↑ HDL-C, ↓ LDL–C, ↓ total cholesterol, ↓ TGs. See Statin.Lipitor
A brand name for ATORVASTATIN. See STATINS.Patient discussion about Lipitor
Q. how can i feel better about taking my lipitor medications?
i hope that i answered your Q.. if not- you are most welcomed to ask again
:)
Lipitor
- noun
Synonyms for Lipitor
noun an oral drug (trade name Lipitor) that is effective in lowering triglycerides
Synonyms
- atorvastatin
Related Words
- lipid-lowering medication
- lipid-lowering medicine
- statin
- statin drug
- trademark