Brand name:
ASTIN (Atorvastatin, Lipitor)
Pronounced: LIP-ih-tor
Generic name: Atorvastatin calcium
Why is Astin prescribed?
Astin is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Your doctor may prescribe it
along with a special diet if your blood cholesterol or triglyceride
level is high and you have been unable to lower your readings by diet
alone. The drug works by helping to clear harmful low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability
to form new LDL cholesterol.
Your doctor may prescribe Astin to reduce your chances of having a
heart attack or developing heart disease if you have any of the following
risk factors:
* Are age 55 years or older
* Smoke
* Have high blood pressure
* Have low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein--the good cholesterol)
* Have a family history of early heart disease
For people at high risk of heart disease, the doctor may suggest a
cholesterol-lowering medication if LDL readings are 130 or more. For
those at low risk, a medication is considered at readings of 190 or
more.
Most important fact about Astin
Astin is usually prescribed only if diet, exercise, and weight loss
fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. It's important
to remember that Astin is a supplement--not a substitute--for those
other measures. To get the full benefit of the medication, you need
to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor.
All these efforts to keep your cholesterol levels normal are important
because they may lower your risk of heart disease.
How should you take Astin?
Astin should be taken once a day, with or without food. You can take
it in the morning or the evening, but should hold to the same time
each day. The drug generally begins working within 2 weeks.
For an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, your doctor may prescribe
Astin along with a different kind of lipid-lowering drug such as Questran
or Colestid. It's important to avoid taking the two drugs at the same
time of day. Take Astin at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after the
other drug.
Why should Astin not be prescribed?
Never take Astin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should
also avoid Astin if you have liver disease, or if the drug gives you
an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about Astin
There is a slight chance of liver damage from Astin, so your doctor
may order a blood test to check your liver function before you start
taking the drug, again 12 weeks after you begin therapy or your dosage
is increased, and periodically thereafter. If the tests reveal a problem,
you may have to stop using the drug.
Drugs like Astin have occasionally been known to damage muscle tissue,
so be sure to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any unexplained
muscle tenderness, weakness, or pain, especially if you also have a
fever or feel sick. Your doctor may want to do a blood test to check
for signs of muscle damage.
If you are scheduled for major surgery, your doctor will have you
stop taking Astin a few days before the operation.
Possible food and drug interactions when
taking Astin
If you take Astin with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Astin with any of the following:
Antacids such as Maalox TC Suspension
Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
Colestipol (Colestid)
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Drugs that suppress the immune system
Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Niacin (Niaspan, Niacor, Slo-Niacin)
Oral contraceptives
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Developing babies need plenty of cholesterol, so this cholesterol-lowering
drug should never be used during pregnancy. In fact, your doctor is
unlikely to prescribe Astin if there is even a chance that you may
become pregnant. If you do conceive while taking Astin, notify your
doctor right away. Astin does make its way into breast milk, so you
should not take the drug while breastfeeding your baby.
Recommended dosage for Astin
You need to follow a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before starting
Astin, and should continue following it throughout your therapy.
ADULTS/ Overdosage
Although no specific information about Astin overdose is available,
any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you
suspect an overdose of Astin, seek medical attention.
If you miss a dose...
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature.
Astin side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Astin.
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal heartbeat, accidental injury, allergic reaction,
arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea,
dizziness, flu symptoms, fluid retention, gas, headache, indigestion,
infection, inflammation of sinus and nasal passages, insomnia, joint
pain, muscle aching or weakness, nausea, rash, stomach pain, urinary
tract infection, weakness
