Lipitor

atorvastatin

How it functions

Lapitor tablets are composed of atorvastatin as the active ingredient. The substance is a kind of medicine categorized in statin group. It functions through lowering synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. (Note: Atorvastatin generic medicine that comes with no brand name is also available).

In general, cholesterol can be classified in two categories that include: bad or low density lipoprotein (LDL) and good or high density lipoprotein (HDL). The LDL is normally deposited in the arteries and enhances the risk of cardiac diseases by narrowing and clogging of arteries (atherosclerosis) and the HDL is protects arteries from developing this condition.

The Atorvastatin lowers synthesis of LDL by suppressing synthesis of the enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase). This lowers the concentration of LDL in the liver thereby making the organ to extract LDL in the blood. This action leads to reduced concentration of blood cholesterol in the blood.

The statins are more effective when taken at night since that is when the body produces high levels of cholesterol.

Artovastatin is responsible for lowering level of some kind of dangerous fats in the blood known as triglycerides by lowering their synthesis while at the same time boosting HDL cholesterol production. This process results in increased concentration of `good fats’ and lowered level of `bad fats’.

Statins are essential in suppression of coronary heart disease. They lower the quantity of cholesterol deposited in the major heart blood vessels. Constriction of these vessels restricts smooth blood flow thereby reducing the quantity of oxygen reaching the heart muscles. This can cause angina (chest pain) and in extreme cases may also cause myocardial infarction (heart attack).

The statins do also lower the risk of suffering from stroke through reducing the amount of cholesterol deposited in the blood vessels going to the brains. The fats deposits may cause obstruction in the blood vessels which might limit oxygen and blood in some areas of the brain which leads to strokes.

Artovastatin are used for lowering bad fats and cholesterol in people who generally produce large quantities of the products as a result of lifestyle, diets or genetics (familial hypecholesterolaemia). This helps in lowering the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening or arteries) and other problems discussed above that may result from cholesterol.

The Artovastatin is used for lowering danger of coronary heart disease for patients suffering from type-2 diabetes despite the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. The drug has also shown lowered risk of procedures such as heart bypass graft, balloon dilation of arteries as well as those that enhance blood supply in the heart. Other conditions that are reduced by use of this drug include stroke, heart attack and deaths related with heart diseases.

When using artovastatin, consider taking exercise regimes and diets that are targeted to lowering cholesterol concentration. You can seek advice from your doctor regarding this information.

Uses of Lipitor

• Treating genetic high blood cholesterol defect (familia hypercholesterolaemia)
• High cholesterol level in blood ( basic hypercholesterolaemia)
• High concentration of fats in blood such as triglycerides, cholesterol and lipoproteins that are mixed with hyperlipidaemia
• Lowering the danger of cardiovascular conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, necessity of treatments such as heart bypass surgery. Cardiovascular events are also lowered in patients with type 2 diabetes with one of the predisposing factors to heart disease such as high blood pressure, smoking, kidney disease and diabetic eye disease. This drug is used in patients suffering from all these conditions irrespective of the level of cholesterol concentration in the blood as long as they are not suffering from coronary disease.

Precaution!

• Continue taking cholesterol lowering diets when using Lipitor. Seek further advice from your doctor.
• Refrain from consuming excessive alcohol when using Lipitor.
• Grape fruit juice should not be taken with Lipitor. This juice activates metabolism of artovastatin thereby increasing its availability in the blood which may lead to development of side effects.
• Although not common, Lipitor can cause liver problems. It is out of this reason that your doctor may require that you have regular blood tests to monitor health of the liver (liver function tests) prior to and in the course of using the medication. Inform your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of skin and white of the eyes), vomiting and nausea, abnormal dark urine, flu-like signs when using the regimen, abdominal pains and anorexia which are all signs of liver defect.
• Lipitor may also have effect on the muscles hence the importance of ensuring that you alert your doctor immediately in case you experience muscular signs such as tenderness, pain, weakness and cramps when taking this medication especially if these conditions are accompanied by general feeling of illness and fever. The doctor may decide to inspect the muscle side effects of the drug by taking blood test to determine concentration level of a compound known as creatine kinase in the blood. The patent will need some rest before undergoing this test as the muscles should not be strained.
• Statins have rarely been attributed with some types of lung diseases. As a result of this reason, inform your doctor immediately in case you experience non-productive cough, shortness of breath and escalated bad health such as fever, fatigue and weight loss when using this medication.
• The effect of Lipitor in children aged below 10 years and girls who have not started having periods is not well known. Doctors only recommend the drug to patient aged above 10 years. The long term effects that may develop in children aged between 10 and 18 years not well known.

Exercise caution in:

• Patients above 70 years
• Reduced liver performance
• Reduce kidney functioning
• Liver disease history
• Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• Extreme alcoholics
• Personal or genetic history of muscle disorders
• Patients that have suffered from stroke attributed to brain bleeding (haemorrhagic stroke)
• Record of muscle side effects in the previous treatment with fibrate or statin medication

Lipitor should not be used with:

• Expectancy
• Active liver diseases
• Breast feeding
• Undetermined reasons for raised liver function test results
• The Lipitor tablets have lactose hence are unsuited for persons suffering from conditions such as Lapp lactose deficiency, genetic galactose intolerance problem and gluciose-galactose malabsorption problems

Lipitor should not be used by persons allergic to ingredients used in making of the drug. Inform your doctor of pharmacist of such problems before.

If you have an allergic reaction after using he drug, stop using it immediately and inform the health care provider.

Expectancy and breastfeeding

There are some medications that should not be used by expectant mothers at all while there are others that are only administered if the merits of the substance exceed the hazards of the substance to the fetus. It is imperative to let your doctor in case you are expectant or you are planning to become in the near future before you start using the medication.

• Lipitor can be detrimental to the fetus and is not recommended during expectancy. Ladies are also advised to wait for at least one month after quitting the medication. Sexually active ladies should use effective contraceptive method to avoid getting pregnant when using this medication and for a month after getting out of the medication. Consult your health care provider for further advice.
• There is no adequate research whether Lipitor is secreted through breast milk hence the manufacturer does recommend it to nursing mothers. Get more advice from your doctor.

Lipitor Bad Effects

The side effects of Lipitor are unique in every individual. Here is a list of some of the most common side effects attributed to the medication. These effects are experienced in some people only. Patients experience some while others do not experience any of the effects.

• Insomnia (disturbed sleep)
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Upset gut such as constipation, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting
• Excess gas in the intestines and stomach (flatulence)
• Dizziness
• Feelings of weakness
• Joint and back pain
• Muscle cramps
• Anorexia
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Angina (chest pain)
• Reduced response to touch, pain and sensations of pins and needles
• Skin conditions such as itching and rashes
• Weight gain
• Thrombocytopenia (decreased blood platelets)
• Blood sugar changes
• Memory loss
• Weight gain
• Liver disorders
• Muscle defects
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Sexual problems

These side effects are not inclusive of al possible reactions that may occur as a result of using Lipitor.

To get extra information regarding the medication, consult your health care provider or read the information inclusive in the package of the drug.

Interactions with other medicines

Ensure to let your doctor know about other medications you are using, both prescriptions and nonprescription, before you start using regimen. In addition, inform your health care provider before you start using another medication to get confirmation whether the combination is compatible.

Atorvastatin may have increased risk of side effects muscles (myopathy) when used with other drugs such as:

• amlodipine
• amiodarone
• azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole. The daily dose of the drug should not exceed 40 mg when used with inraconazole
• ciclosporin- daily dose should not surpass 10 mg if you are taking this medication
• clarithromycin (artovastatin dose should not be more than 20 mg per day)
• cholesterol lowering fibrate such as gemfibrozil and bezafibrate
• diltiazem
• ezetimibe
• fusidic acacid
• daptomycin
• erythromycin
• verapimil
• HIV infection protease inhibitors such as ritonavir and nelfinavir
• Nicotinic acid (niacin)
• Telithromycin

In case you have been prescribed with atorvastatin and you are taking any of the medications listed above, let your doctor know of any abnormal muscle effects such as weakness, cramps and tenderness that may develop in unexplained manner.

Atorvastatin increases digoxin level in the blood. The concentration of digoxin in your blood should be monitored closely when you are taking this medication.

Effects of anti-blood clotting of anticoagulants like warfarin are also affected by this medication. It is imperative for your doctor to determine your blood clotting (INR) before and after you start using atorvastatin. The INR should also be established whenever you change the dose or stop taking the treatment.

The atorvastatin may somewhat enhance metabolism of blood norethisterone and ethinylestradiol that are common in some kinds of contraceptive pills. The doctor will determine whether it will be safe if you are taking this medication and you also need oral contraceptives.

These drugs can lower metabolism and efficiency of artovastatin in the blood:

• rifampicin
• efavirenz
• Hypericum perforatum (the herbal remedy St John’s wort)