Composition:
Each tablet contains:
Atorvastatin calcuim.....................10 mg.
Or
Atorvastatin calcium.................... 20 mg.
Or Atorvastatin calcium.....................40 mg.

Properties:
Atovastatin calcuim is a synthetic lipid lowering agent which inhibits the 3 hydroxy 3 methyl glutaryl co enzyme A (HMG co enzyme A) reductase enzyme.
This enyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG co enzyme A to mevalonate, an early & rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis.
Atorvastatin is rapidly absorbed orally & maximum plasma concentration occurs within 1 to 2 hours.
It is absorbtion is not effected by food. It is highly bound to plasma proteins & is metabolized into pharmacologically active metabolites which ae very effective on inhibiting HMG co A reductase as Atorvastatin itself. Atorvastatin is eliminated in the bile primarily following hepatic metabolism. Mean plasma elimination half life is about 14 hours, but the half-life of inhibitory activity for HMG co A reductase is 20 - 30 hours.

Indications:
Atorvastatin is indicated is indicated for reduction of elevated :
Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Apolipoprotein B & Triglycerides.

Contraindications:
► Hypersensitivity to Atorvastatin.
► Patients with active liver diseases or any unexplained persistent elevation of serum transaminases.
► Pregnancy & lactation.

Dosage & route of administration & duration: The patient should be placed on standard cholesterol lowering diet before receiving Atorvastatin & should continue this diet during treatment with Atorvastatin, the usual starting dose is 10 mg once daily. The dosage range is 10 to 80 mg once daily and should be individualized according to the case. The dose can be given any time of the day with or without food. Lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 - 4 weeks & dose is adjusted accordingly.

Drug interaction:
► Coadminstration of Atorvastatin with an oral antacid containing magnesuim & aluminium hydroxides decreases Atorvastatin plasma concentration by approximately 35% but LDL Cholesterol reduction is not altered.

► Coadministration of multiple doses of Atorvastatin & Digoxin increases steady state plasma digoxin concentration by approximately 20% & patients taking Digoxin should be monitored.

► Coadministration of erythromycin 500mg QID ( A known inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A4, was associated with higer plasma concentration of Atorvastatin.

► Oral contraceptives containing norethendrione & estradiole with Atorvastatin increase AUC values of norethendrione & ethinyl estrdiole by approximately 20 to 30%. These increases should be considered when selecting an oral contraceptive for women taking Atorvastatin.

Side effects:
Rare & mild side effects as GIT upsets, headache myalgia, insomnia.

Storage:
Keep at temp. not exceeding 30ºC
Keep out of reach of children.

Presentation:
Box of 10 tablets