Atorvastatin is an oral statin, classed as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, used to lower LDL cholesterol and to reduce cardiovascular risk. It is taken alongside a lipid-lowering diet rather than instead of one. The tablets are film-coated, and treatment is long term.
Hypercholesterolaemia
10 · 20 · 40 · 80mg
The atorvastatin tablets contain atorvastatin and are used for hypercholesterolaemia. They come in several strengths and pack sizes. Each option lists its price per tablet.
Atorvastatin treats hypercholesterolaemia, in which LDL cholesterol in the blood is raised. It is an adjunct to diet: changes to what you eat and other lifestyle measures start first and continue while the medicine is taken. The medicine lowers LDL cholesterol and does not replace those measures.
It is also used to reduce cardiovascular risk. That covers adults with risk factors for coronary heart disease and adults who already have established coronary heart disease. For some people the main goal is reaching a target LDL level, and attention stays on the cholesterol figure. For others, particularly those with diabetes, existing heart disease or several risk factors, the aim is longer-term protection of the blood vessels and heart.
In both situations treatment runs over the long term, because the reduction in risk depends on LDL cholesterol staying lower.
The liver makes most of the body’s cholesterol, and only a smaller part arrives from food. Atorvastatin blocks HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver. With synthesis reduced, the liver increases the number of LDL receptors on its surface and clears more LDL cholesterol out of the blood, so circulating LDL falls.
The effect on the enzyme outlasts the drug itself. Atorvastatin’s mean plasma elimination half-life is about 14 hours, while its inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase continues for 20 to 30 hours, because active metabolites carry the effect on after the parent compound has cleared.
The change builds gradually rather than at once, and the benefit comes from continuing treatment alongside diet.
Atorvastatin is listed as a film-coated tablet in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg strengths: Atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is the active ingredient. The film coat makes swallowing easier and shields the medicine inside the tablet.
It sits in the Cholesterol Management category, and the four strengths are the forms in which the tablet is supplied.
Orders are prepared by pharmacy partners in India and shipped to Malaysia in discreet packaging.
Atorvastatin is contraindicated in anyone with a hypersensitivity to atorvastatin, in active liver disease, and in pregnancy and breastfeeding. If conception occurs, use should stop immediately.
Unexplained muscle pain or weakness must be reported immediately, because atorvastatin can affect skeletal muscle. Liver function monitoring is recommended during treatment, and excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided; the same caution applies to anyone with a history of liver disease.
Headache, nausea and constipation are the minor effects. Myalgia, raised liver enzymes and insomnia are moderate. Rhabdomyolysis and hepatitis are serious, and both need immediate medical attention.
Grapefruit, ciclosporin and clarithromycin interact with atorvastatin.
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