Contents: Atorvastatin Calcium
Description: Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.
Indication/Use: Atorvastatin is also used to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood.
Dosage: The usual starting dose is 10 mg to 20 mg per day, which can be increased at 4 week intervals up to a maximum of 80 mg per day or as prescribed by the doctor.
Contraindication: Statins should not be used if you have active liver disease (on persistently abnormal liver function test).
Special Precaution: Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have liver illness, kidney disease, or alcohol use. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication. The amount of this drug in your bloodstream can be increased by eating grapefruit. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy & Lactation: This drug should not be taken when pregnant. An unborn child may be harmed by atorvastatin. While taking this drug, it is critical to avoid becoming pregnant.