What is Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is a drug that works by lowering your cholesterol levels. The medicine must be taken daily and it is typically prescribed over a long period. The drug inhibits the formation of endogenous cholesterol in the liver, so it is a useful supplement for cholesterol prevention. People with high cholesterol levels are at a higher risk of arteriosclerosis, which can lead to coronary heart disease, including stroke. Atorvastatin is a drug that successfully reduces the body's production of cholesterol, lowering the risk of arteriosclerosis.
The consequences of high cholesterol levels
Types of Cholesterol – LDL and HDL
When does cholesterol become harmful?
The effect of Atorvastatin
The mode of action of the cholesterol-lowering agent is a mechanism that takes place in the highly complicated process of cholesterol production in the liver. This active substance in the drug, statin, ensures that the liver eventually produces less cholesterol. To clarify, Atorvastatin inhibits the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase that mainly reduces the production of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to arteriosclerosis. HDL cholesterol, which is not harmful, will be affected less by the effect of the medication. In some cases, its production may even increase, making the effect of the drug even more beneficial.
Dosage
The drug should be prescribed when the cholesterol levels are very high and cannot be significantly reduced through a healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss. The cholesterol-lowering agent is usually taken over a long time since the effect unfolds in the long-term as levels of cholesterol in the blood change only over a long period.
In most cases, a daily dose of 10 to 80 milligrams is prescribed. The drug is taken in the form of tablets, every day, in the evening.
Atrovastatin-Patient Leaflet
Side effects
Atorvastatin is a drug with relatively few side effects - which makes it very safe to use.
However, the following side effects may occur occasionally:
- Headache
- Levels of other enzymes might change in the liver
- Muscle pain Pregnant women and children under 10 years should not take Atorvastatin.
Drug Interactions and Contraindications
Interactions can occur if you are taking the drug with an anticoagulant at the same time.
- Taking Digoxin for heart failure
- Taking the pill with the hormones Norethisterone and Ethinylestradiol.
- Together with Danazol or Fibrates and Nicotinic acid it suppresses the immune system.
- There is a particular risk of concomitant use of atorvastatin with Ciclosporin.
- Atorvastatin should not be taken in conjunction with certain antibiotics, such as Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, and Fusidic acid.
- Also, in the case of Atorvastatin therapy, the consumption of grapefruit should be avoided altogether, since this fruit can dramatically increase the effect of the drug. The consequence is an increased occurrence of the corresponding side effects.
Also, in the case of Atorvastatin therapy, the consumption of grapefruit should be avoided altogether, since this fruit can dramatically increase the effect of the drug. The consequence is an increased occurrence of the corresponding side effects.
Pregnant women and children under 10 years should not take Atorvastatin. Read the Patient Information Leaflet for detailed information on side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions.
Is Atorvastatin available without a prescription?
Please note that the cholesterol-lowering agent can be ordered only through a prescription. Purchasing the medication without a medical prescription is not legal, nor safe for your health. You can obtain a prescription for Atorvastatin directly from your doctor, or more conveniently, from us, in the form of an online follow-up prescription. Next to Atorvastatin, at Apomeds you can also order Simvastatin, another effective treatment that lowers your cholesterol levels.
Disclaimer: Please note that the drug you see in the picture indicates one of the possible manufacturers of the drug. We might send you a drug from a different manufacturer. All products comply with the highest EU standards.