Precautions
LIPITOR can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. The starting dose and maintenance doses of LIPITOR should be individualized according to patient characteristics such as goal of therapy and response. After initiation and/or upon titration of LIPITOR, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks ...
How should Lipitor be administered?
Lipitor is available in four strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. What are the typical dosages of Lipitor? Your doctor will typically follow dosage recommendations and guidelines for your condition based on studies of the drug.
What are the different strengths of Lipitor?
Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia. The dosage range of LIPITOR is 10 to 80 mg once daily. LIPITOR can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. The starting dose and maintenance doses of LIPITOR should be individualized according to patient characteristics such as goal of therapy and response.
What is the dosage range of Lipitor for hyperlipidemia?
LIPITOR can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. The starting dose and maintenance doses of LIPITOR should be individualized according to patient characteristics such as goal of therapy and response.
When is the best time of day to take Lipitor?
What are nursing considerations for Lipitor?
Assess for signs of renal impairment. atorvastatin can increase liver enzyme levels....Nursing Diagnosis for Atorvastatin.Nursing Interventions for AtorvastatinRationalesAdvise the patient to stop alcohol consumption while on atorvastatin.This will prevent unwanted effects on the liver while on atorvastatin.7 more rows
What should I monitor for atorvastatin?
Patients starting atorvastatin should have liver function tests and a lipid panel performed at baseline, with a repeat lipid panel after six weeks on therapy. Liver function tests should be repeated as clinically indicated. Once the patient is stable, lipids can be checked every 6 to 12 months.
What condition is a contraindication to taking Lipitor?
LIPITOR should be used with caution in patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease. Active liver disease or unexplained persistent transaminase elevations are contraindications to the use of LIPITOR [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
What labs to monitor while on statins?
Your doctor will carry out a blood test to measure a substance in your blood called creatine kinase (CK), which is released into the blood when your muscles are inflamed or damaged. If the level of CK in your blood is more than 5 times the normal level, your doctor may advise you to stop taking the statin.
What monitoring should be done prior to and after initiating statin therapy?
The ATP III recommendations for monitoring of statin therapy are as follows: check lipid panel at baseline, 6–8 weeks after starting or adjusting the medication/dose, and then every 4–6 months; check LFTs at baseline, approximately 12 weeks after starting therapy, then annually or more frequently if indicated; and ...
When should you not take Lipitor?
Being age 80 or older. Having kidney or liver disease. Drinking too much alcohol. Having certain conditions such as hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
What are 3 contraindications of statins?
having a history of liver disease. regularly drinking large quantities of alcohol. having a history of muscle-related side effects when taking a statin or fibrate (another type of medicine for high cholesterol) having a family history of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis.
What do I need to know about Lipitor?
The dosage of Lipitor needs to be individualized but initially should start at 10-20 mg/day and be guided by the results of cholesterol tests taken 2 to 4 weeks later. Take Lipitor exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without his or her advice.
Does Lipitor cause weight loss, weight gain, diabetes, memory loss, ED, tiredness, or headaches?
No, none of these were reported as side effects in studies of Lipitor. Keep in mind that Lipitor is prescribed along with a balanced diet. Some peo...
Is Lipitor a blood thinner or a beta-blocker? And does it lower blood pressure?
No, Lipitor is not a blood thinner or a beta-blocker. Lipitor belongs to a group of medications known as statins. Statins help lower cholesterol le...
Is Lipitor considered a safe medication? Why might some people think it’s bad for you?
Yes, Lipitor is considered a safe drug for most people. It’s been used to treat certain conditions for more than 20 years and has been studied in a...
Will Lipitor cause different side effects in men vs. women?
In studies, no differences in side effects were reported among males* and females* taking Lipitor. But certain side effects of Lipitor are specific...
How does Lipitor work? What’s its half-life, and how long does it stay in your system?
Lipitor belongs to a group of medications called statins. These drugs reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your body. L...
What should I know about Lipitor’s alternative drug Livalo?
Lipitor and Livalo are both statins, which help lower cholesterol levels in your body. Lipitor contains the active ingredient atorvastatin, while L...
Will I have side effects after stopping Lipitor?
Ending your Lipitor treatment should not cause any side effects. But if you stop taking Lipitor and do not replace it with a different treatment, y...
How long does it take to get lipid levels to be analyzed?
After initiation and/or upon titration of LIPITOR, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and dosage adjusted accordingly.
Can you use a LIPITOR with bile acid?
LIPITOR may be used with bile acid resins. The combination of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and fibrates should generally be used with caution [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7)].
What strengths is Lipitor available in?
Lipitor is available in four strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.
What are the typical dosages of Lipitor?
Your doctor will typically follow dosage recommendations and guidelines for your condition based on studies of the drug. They’ll determine the right dosage for you and adjust your dosage over time if needed.
Is Lipitor used long term?
Yes, Lipitor is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lipitor is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
Dosage adjustments
You may need dosage adjustments for Lipitor depending on certain factors. These may include:
Is there a certain dosage of Lipitor used for older adults?
No, there’s no specific recommended dosage for older adults taking Lipitor. But according to studies, Lipitor may be more effective at lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in older adults compared with younger people taking the same dose.
What to do in case you take too much Lipitor
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Lipitor. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or you can use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
How old is too old to take atorvastatin?
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in children 10 to 17 years of age. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 10 years of age.
Can you use alcohol with a medicine?
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Can elderly people take atorvastatin?
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atorvastatin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this atorvastatin than younger adults, which may require caution in patients receiving atorvastatin.
How long before meals should I take bile acid sequestrants?
Administer drug before meals to ensure that drug is in the GI tract together with food. Administer other drugs 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after bile acid sequestrants to avoid drug interactions. Arrange for a bowel program to effectively address constipation if it ever occurs.
How to help a patient with drug side effects?
Provide comfort and safety measures to help patient tolerate drug side effects. Educate patient on drug therapy including drug name, its indication, and adverse effects to watch out for to enhance patient understanding on drug therapy and thereby promote adherence to drug regimen.
What is the name of the medication that lowers cholesterol?
Antihyperlipidemic Drugs. Antihyperlipidemic Drugs lower serum levels of cholesterol and various lipids. They are also called as lipid-lowering agents; these drugs provide effective treatment for hyperlipidemia (increased lipid level in the blood ).
What is cholesterol absorption inhibitor?
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors are one of the new class of drugs approved (2003) to lower serum cholesterol levels. A controversy is linked to this drug because a study in 2008 failed to show positive benefits of combining this class to statins.
Why is familial hypercholesterolemia limited to tight dietary restrictions?
Familial hypercholesterolemia treatment in children is limited to tight dietary restrictions of calorie and fats because lipids in children are important for the development of the nervous system. In cases that are unresponsive to dieta ry restrictions , other classes of antihyperlipidemic are used.
What is the best treatment for CAD?
Pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are indicated for patients with documented CAD to slow progression of the disease. Together with these three agents, atorvastatin is used as prophylaxis for first myocardial infarction attack for patients with multiple risk factors for CAD.
What are the aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy?
Here are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy: Monitor patient response to therapy (serum lipid and cholesterol levels). Monitor for adverse effects (e.g. headache, vitamin deficiency, and increased bleeding times.
How long does it take for a liver test to be done before statins?
You should also have a routine blood test to check the health of your liver 3 months after treatment begins, and again after 12 months.
What are the interactions between statins?
Interactions. Statins can react unpredictably with certain other substances (known as "interacting"), potentially increasing the risk of serious side effects, such as muscle damage. Medicines that can interact with some types of statin include: certain antibiotics and antifungals. certain HIV medications.
What are statins used for?
Medicines that can interact with some types of statin include: 1 certain antibiotics and antifungals 2 certain HIV medications 3 warfarin – a medicine commonly used to prevent blood clots 4 ciclosporin – a medicine that suppresses the immune system and is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis 5 danazol – a synthetic (manmade) hormone medicine used to treat conditions such as endometriosis 6 verapamil and diltiazem – types of medicine called calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels 7 amiodarone – a medicine sometimes used to treat irregular heartbeats 8 fibrates – medicines that, like statins, help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood
Can you take statins while pregnant?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Statins should not be taken by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, as there's no firm evidence on whether it's safe to do so. Contact a GP for advice if you become pregnant while taking statins.
Can statins cause kidney damage?
Severe myopathy (rhabdomyolysis) can lead to kidney damage.
Can you stop taking statins?
If you're taking statins and need to take one of these medicines, a doctor may prescribe an alternative statin or your current statin at a lower dosage. In some cases, they may recommend that you temporarily stop taking your statin.
Can you drink alcohol before taking statins?
People who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol are at increased risk of getting more serious side effects. If you're prescribed a statin, you may be able to continue drinking alcohol.
Why is the new statin guideline controversial?
The new guideline was also controversial because of its definition of what constitutes high risk among those individuals without known cardiovascular disease.
Can you buy statins for a month?
Most statins are generic now, and several can be bought for only a few dollars a month. From my perspective, the researchers' findings give further support to the efforts to base the decision on the patient's preferences.
How It Works
Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
May Treat: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease · Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia · Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia · Hypercholesterolemia · Hyperlipidemia and more
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins)
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Do not use. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.
Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers
May Treat: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease · Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia · Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia · Hypercholesterolemia · Hyperlipidemia and more
Drug Class: Antihyperlipidemic - HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins)
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Do not use. This medication may be harmful to an unborn child.
Lactation: This drug should not be given to breastfeeding mothers
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
Manufacturer: PFIZER US PHARM · PFIZER/VIATRIS
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Avoid taking grapefruit juice/grapefruit with med
- Report unexplained muscle pain/weakness/fever
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Avoid taking grapefruit juice/grapefruit with med
- Report unexplained muscle pain/weakness/fever
- Call MD if new abdominal pain/yellowing eyes/skin
- Not recommended when breast feeding
- Tell doctor if you think you are pregnant
- Review all drugs you are taking with your doctor
- Lab tests may be ordered to monitor therapy
Upsides
Bottom Line
Tips
Response and Effectiveness
- Lipitor is a brand (trade) name for atorvastatin. Atorvastatin may be used for the treatment of high cholesterol.
- Atorvastatin works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes different types of lipids (fats and cholesterol). Atorvastatin also boosts the breakdown of lipids.
- Lipitor belongs to the class of medicines known as statins. Lipitor is also known as an HMG-…
- Lipitor is a brand (trade) name for atorvastatin. Atorvastatin may be used for the treatment of high cholesterol.
- Atorvastatin works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes different types of lipids (fats and cholesterol). Atorvastatin also boosts the breakdown of lipids.
- Lipitor belongs to the class of medicines known as statins. Lipitor is also known as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
Interactions
- Lipitor, in conjunction with dietary measures, may be used for the treatment of high cholesterol in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease if initial dietary measures fail to lower chol...
- Lipitor is also used to lower the risk of coronary events (such as a heart attack or stroke) in patients at high risk of these events - such as people with pre-existing coronary heart disease…
- Lipitor, in conjunction with dietary measures, may be used for the treatment of high cholesterol in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease if initial dietary measures fail to lower chol...
- Lipitor is also used to lower the risk of coronary events (such as a heart attack or stroke) in patients at high risk of these events - such as people with pre-existing coronary heart disease, diab...
- Possibly more effective than other statins.
- Lipitor is available as a generic under the name atorvastatin.
References
- Lipitor is effective at lowering cholesterol; however, its use may be limited by side effects such as muscle pain.
Further Information
- Take once daily. May be taken at any time of the day (morning or night); however, it is best to be consistent with the time you take Lipitor.
- The dosage of Lipitor needs to be individualized but initially should start at 10-20 mg/day and be guided by the results of cholesterol tests taken 2 to 4 weeks later.
Allergies
- Peak levels are seen within one to two hours following administration; however, it may take one to two weeks of regular dosing before improvements in your cholesterol level are seen, and up to four...
- May lower total cholesterol by 30-46%, triglycerides by 30-56%, with variable increases seen in HDL.
- Peak levels are seen within one to two hours following administration; however, it may take one to two weeks of regular dosing before improvements in your cholesterol level are seen, and up to four...
- May lower total cholesterol by 30-46%, triglycerides by 30-56%, with variable increases seen in HDL.
- Possibly more effective than other statins.
Pediatric
- Medicines that interact with Lipitor may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Lipitor. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be mana…
Geriatric
- Lipitor (atorvastatin) [Package Insert] Revised: 08/2021. Parke-Davis Div of Pfizer Inc. https://www.drugs.com/pro/lipitor.html
Breastfeeding
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Lipitor only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: September 24, 2021. Medical Di…
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