Description:
Avator (Atorvastatin) is a selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a precursor of sterols, including cholesterol. Avator (Atorvastatin) lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis in the liver and increases the number of hepatic LDL receptors on the cell surface for enhanced uptake and catabolism of LDL.
Atorvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet for reduction of elevated total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides in patients with-
- Primary hypercholesterolemia- heterozygous familial and non-familial hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson types IIa and IIb)
- Elevated serum TG levels (Fredrickson type IV)
- Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Fredrickson type III) who do not respond adequately to diet.
- Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable.
Atorvastatin is a synthetic lipid lowering agent. It is a selective, competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis.
Children: Treatment experience in a paediatric population with dose of Atorvastatin up to 80 mg/day is limited.
Geriatric (>70 years): The safety and efficacy of Atorvastatin in this population is as similar as < 70 years of age patients with the dose upto 80 mg/day.
In patients with Renal Insufficiency: No dosage adjustment is required.
The risk of myopathy during treatment with other drugs in this class is increased with concurrent administration of cyclosporin, fibric acid derivatives, erythromycin, azole antifungals, or niacin (nicotinic acid). These risks may also occur when combining these drugs with Atorvastatin. No clinically significant interactions were seen when Atorvastatin was administered with antihypertensives and or hypoglycemic agents. Caution should also be exercised when Atorvastatin is administered with inhibitors of P450 3A4 (macrolide antibiotics and azole antifungals). The effect of inducers of cytochrome P450 3A4 (rifampicin or phenytoin) on Atorvastatin is unknown. Patients should be closely monitored if Atorvastatin is added to digoxin, erythromycin, oral contraceptives, colestipol, antacid and warfarin. No interaction was found with cimetidine.
Side Effects
Atorvastatin is generally well tolerated. Adverse reactions have usually been mild and transient. Reversible myositis is rare but significant side effect of the statins. The statins also cause headache, altered liver-function tests and gastro-intestinal effects including abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Thrombocytopenia, rash and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported rarely. Other side effects are reported with Atorvastatin therapy includes insomnia, angioedema, anorexia, asthenia, paraesthesia, peripheral neuropathy, alopecia, pruritus, rash, impotence, chest pain, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.