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Back to Cardiology Drug index
Brand Name: Lipitor
Name: Atorvastatin
Pregnancy Category X
Drug classes
HMG-CoA inhibitors
Antilipemics
Mechanism of action
Inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol
synthesis (associated with increased risk of
coronary artery disease), and
either an increase or no change in serum HDLs (associated with decreased
risk of
coronary artery disease).
Indications
- As an adjunct to diet in the treatment of elevated total cholesterol
and LDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (types
IIa and IIb) whose response to dietary restriction of saturated fat and
cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures has not been adequate.
Contraindications
- Allergy to atorvastatin
- Active liver disease
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
Grapefruit juice should not be taken with Atorvastatin as it
may increase the serum concentrations of atorvastatin.
Adverse effects
- CNS:
Headache, blurred vision,
dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, muscle cramps, cataracts
- GI: Flatulence,
abdominal pain,
cramps,
constipation,
nausea, dyspepsia, heartburn
- Hematologic: Elevations of
CPK,
alkaline phosphatase and
transaminiases
- Neuromuscular: Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis
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