How does it work?

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol production blocker which blocks the chemical HMG-CoA reductase. It is also commonly known as a "statin". It lowers the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. It also reduces the concentration of another type of fat, triglycerides, in the blood. Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol being produced in the body, by blocking the action of the chemical(HMG-CoA reductase) in the liver that is normally responsible for cholesterol production. Blocking the action of this chemical also results in an increased breakdown of the cholesterol already in the blood. As the body produces most cholesterol at night, statins are generally more effective if taken at night. Statins have an important role in the prevention of heart disease. They reduce the risk of cholesterol being deposited in the major blood vessels of the heart. Any blockage in the blood vessels limits the amount of blood and therefore oxygen being carried to the heart muscle. In severe cases this can result in a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Statins also reduce the risk of stroke by decreasing the chance of fat being deposited in the blood vessels of the brain. These fat deposits can cause blockage and therefore limit blood and oxygen supply to certain parts of the brain. Statins are only used when blood cholesterol levels cannot be lowered by diet and exercise alone. It is important to follow a diet and exercise regime when taking atorvastatin.

What is it used for?

High blood cholesterol levels

Inherited high blood cholesterol levels

Inherited high levels of fat (lipids) in the blood (mixed hyperlipidaemia)

Warning!

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol when taking this medicine.

This medicine may very rarely have side effects on the muscles. For this reason you should inform your doctor immediately if you experience any muscular symptoms such as pain, tenderness, cramps, or weakness while taking this medicine, particularly if it is accompanied by a fever or feeling generally unwell. Your doctor may need to check for side effects on the muscles by taking a blood test to measure the level of a compound called creatinine kinase in your blood. If this is the case, the test should not be done following strenuous exercise.

You should have blood tests to monitor your liver function (liver function tests) before starting treatment and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.

You should should continue eating a cholesterol-lowering diet during treatment with this medicine. Discuss this with your doctor.

Use with caution in

History of liver disease

Individuals who consume large quantities of alcohol

Not to be used in

Active liver disease

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Unexplained raised results in liver function tests

Women of child-bearing potential, unless effective contraception is used to prevent pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy and pregnancy should be avoided for one month following discontinuation of treatment. Adequate contraception should be used by women of child bearing potential. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)

Inability of a man to have an erection (impotence)

Chest pain (angina)

Muscle cramps

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Alteration in results of liver function tests

Changes in blood sugar levels

Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

Disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy)

Dizziness

Loss of appetite

Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)

Itching (pruritis)

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)

Muscle pain and weakness

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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