Atorvastatin is a prescription medication. It is used among patients with high level of cholesterol including patients with certain inherited cholesterol disorders. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack among patients with high blood pressure and who have at least three additional risk factors for heart disease like:
Atorvastatin belongs to the group of drug known as a statin or HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or lipid metabolism regulators. It helps lower the bad cholesterol such as the triglycerides and LDL or low-density lipoprotein while it raises the good cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterols are fats in your body which can be dangerous to your health if they are too much.
Statins work by reducing the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. It prevents the cholesterol from building up in the arteries and from clogging the arteries. Lowering the bad fats raises the good fats thus decreasing the risk of heart attack. Lowering the bad cholesterols also helps prevent stroke among patients with diabetes.
How to use Atorvastatin?
The recommended dose for an adult is 10mg to 20mg once a day. Take this medication at night with or without food. The maximum dose for an adult should not exceed 80 mg a day. For children 10 to 17 years of age, their dose is 10 mg to 20 mg once a day.
If you are taking other medications, take it one hour before or 4 hours after taking Atorvastatin. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while using this drug. Take this drug regularly to get the most benefit from it. Continue taking this drug even if you feel well.
What are the side effects of Atorvastatin?
Some of the side effects are:
Serious side effects are:
Important Information