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atorvastatin

This medicine is used as an adjunct to diet in hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), heterozygous (genetic disorder characterized with markedly increased LDL and cholesterol )and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (a condition in which it is difficult to remove bad cholesterol from body), mixed hyperlipidemia (genetic disorder characterized with high lipids (fats), cholesterol and free fatty acids in blood).

Contradications

Atorvastatin is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to Escitalopram or other components present in this medicine.
Atorvastatin is metabolized in the liver. As a result, if you have pre-existing liver problems, this medication is not suggested since it may cause Atorvastatin accumulation in your blood, increasing the chance of side effects. It may possibly cause more liver damage.

Side effects

Atorvastatin can cause GI upset, myalgia (muscle pain), arthralgia (pain in joints), headache, asthenia (abnormal weakness), insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), dizziness, paraesthesia (abnormal sensation of skin such as tingling, burning, chilling and numbness), hypoaesthesia (reduces sensation in one or more body parts), chest and back pain, pain extremities, epistaxis (bleeding from nose), muscle spasms, joint swelling, abnormal LFTs, raised creatinine kinase, ALT and CPK levels, hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), nasopharyngitis (swelling of nasal passages and back of throat, commonly known as cold) etc. Immune mediated necrotising myopathy (autoimmune muscle disease relatively severe proximal weakness) is also reported.

Expert Advice

Take with or without meals.
Take medicine at the same time each day.
Contact prescriber if unrelieved diarrhea (watery stools), fever, unusual muscle cramps, weakness, mood changes, memory changes, yellowing of skin or eyes, easy bruising or bleeding or unusual fatigue (weakness).
Take a missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is likely the time of next dose. Do not double the dose.
Avoid high intake of grapefruit juice (>1 litre per day).
Take sufficient amounts of fluids (2-3 litres per day), unless restricted by the prescriber.
Laboratory tests are important during therapy.

FAQs

What should you monitor while taking Atorvastatin?

Serum triglycerides, cholesterol and LFTs should be evaluated before the start of therapy, and periodically thereafter.

How to store this medicine?

Please store the tablet form of this medicine at room temperature (18-25 Celsius). Keep medicine away from excessive light and moisture. Please keep it away from children.

What should you not take with Atorvastatin?

Avoid high cholesterol and high fat foods, excessive grapefruit or grapefruit juice and excess alcohol use.

What happens if you eat grapefruit while taking atorvastatin?

It contains a chemical that interferes with body ability to breakdown statin medications.

What should I do if I forget to take atorvastatin?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But do not take if it has been more than 12 hours since the last dose.