Atorvastatin – what it is for, how to use it and side effects!

Atorvastatin – What It Is, How To Use It And Side Effects  You May Not Know. Additionally,  Atorvastatin  is used along with a proper diet to reduce “bad” cholesterol and fats (such as LDL triglycerides) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘statins’. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. Lowering “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides and increasing “good” cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and  heart attacks .

In addition to proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that can help the medication work include exercise, losing weight if you are overweight, and quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor for more details.

How to use Atorvastatin:

Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, race, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all products you use (including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products).

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Grapefruit may increase the amount of this medicine in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If you take certain cholesterol-lowering medicines, take Atorvastatin at least 1 hour before or at least 4 hours after taking these medicines. These products may react with Atorvastatin , preventing its full absorption.

Take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Remember to take it at the same time every day. It is important to continue taking this medicine even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.

It is very important to continue to follow your doctor’s advice on diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks for your body to feel the benefit of this medicine.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage:

Store at room temperature between 20-25 degrees C away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or down a drain unless recommended. Dispose of this product properly when it expires or is no longer needed.

Precautions:

Before taking Atorvastatin , tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, and alcohol use. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all products used (including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products).

Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol can increase the risk of liver problems, especially when combined with rosuvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy . Atorvastatin can harm an unborn baby . Therefore, it is important to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss using reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

Interactions:

Drug interactions can change the way your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all products used (including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal products) and share with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: gemfibrozil, telaprevir, and ritonavir.

Other medicines can affect the removal of Atorvastatin from the body, which can affect how this medicine works. Examples include colchicine, telithromycin, certain antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others.

Do not take red yeast rice products while taking Atorvastatin , as some red rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking Atorvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.

Atorvastatin side effects:

Remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because he thought the benefit outweighed the risk of side effects. Many people who use this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very small number of people who take Atorvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor. Rarely, statins can cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

This remedy can rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious problems called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Tell your doctor straight away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms persist after your doctor stops this medicine: muscle pain, weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness) and signs of kidney problems (such as changes in the amount of urine you pass) ).

This medicine rarely causes liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor right away: yellow eyes and skin, dark urine, abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting.

A very serious allergic reaction to this remedy is rare. However, seek medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue and throat), dizziness and difficulty breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose:

If someone overdoses and has severe symptoms, such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call 911.

Grades:

Do not share this medicine with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.