Buy Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium)

Lipitor® (Atorvastatin Calcium) patient handout

• Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) adjunct to dietary therapy in the management of primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemias.Reduction of lipids/cholesterol reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke sequelae (primary prevention and secondary prevention) and decreases the need for bypass procedures/angioplasty.

• Lipitor inhibit an enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which is responsible for catalyzing an early step in the synthesis of cholesterol. Lipitor therapeutic effects : lowering of total and LDL cholesterol.Increase HDL and decrease VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides.Slowing of the progression of coronary artery disease with resultant decrease in myocardial infarction, stroke and need for myocardial revascularization.

• Absorption Absorption describes the process that follows drug administration and its subsequent delivery to systemic circulation. : rapidly absorbed but undergoes extensive gastrointestinal and hepatic metabolism, resulting in 14% bioavailability (30% for lipid lowering activity)
• Distribution Drug's distribution in body tissues and fluids. : probably enters breast milk.
• Metabolism and excretion Important in determining dosage regimens and intervals for persons with hepatic or impaired renal function. : extensively metabolized by the liver (Atorvastatin Calcium is metabolized by CYP3A4), most during first pass; excreted in bile and feces.Atorvastatin Calcium has 2 lipid lowering metabolites.
• Half life The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes the drug level to decrease by 50% and roughly correlates with the duration of action. : 14 hours (lipid lowering activity due to Lipitor and its metabolites 20-30 hours).

• Lipitor (Atorvastatin) is contraindicated in : hypersensitivity, cross-sensitvity among agents may occur, sepsis, acute hypotension, major surgery, trauma, sever metabolic disturbances, endocrine or electrolyte disorders, uncontrolled seizures (increase risk of rhabdomyolysis, temporarily discontinue use until condition is resolved)
• Lipitor should be used cautiously in : history of liver disease or significant alcohol use/abuse; renal impairment, advanced age or hypothyroidism (increase risk of rhabdomyolysis); visual disturbances, myopathy, patients with asian ancestry (may have increased blood levels with some agents)

• Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) adverse reactions and side effects can be : dizziness, headache, insomnia, weakness, rhinitis, bronchitis, abdominal cramps,constipation, diarrhea, flatus, hearburn, altered taste, drug induced hepatitis, dyspepsia, elevated liver enzymes, nausea, pancreatitis, impotence, rashes, pruritus, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, myositis, hypersensitivity reactions.

• Oral administration (adults) - 10-20 mg of Lipitor once daily initially (may start with 40 mg of Lipitor per day if LDL-C should be lowered by > 45%); may be increased in 2-4 weeks up to 20 mg per day.
• Oral administration (children 10-17 years) : 10 mg of Lipitor per day initially, may be increased every 4 weeks up to 20 mg per day.

• Oral administration (adults) : CCr < 30 ml/min - dosage should not exceed 20 mg of Lipitor per day unless carefully tirated.
• Oral administration (childrens/adolescents 10-17 years) : familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia - 10-40 mg of Lipitor per day adjusted at 4 weeks intervals.

• Oral administration : Administration on an empty stomach decreases absorption by approximately 30%.Initial once-daily dose is administered with the evening meal.Administer extended release tablets at bedtime.Extended release tablets shoud be swallowed whole, do not crush, break or chew.Lipitor can be taken any time of day.
• Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice during therapy; may increase risk of toxicity.

• Take Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) as directed and not to skip doses or double up on missed doses.Avoid drinking more that 1 quantity per day of grapefruit juice during Lipitor therapy.
• Lipitor helps control but does not cure elevated serum cholesterol levels.
• Lipitor should be used in conjunction with diet restrictions (fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, alcohol), exercise and cessation of smoking
• Notify health care professional if unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness occurs, especially if accompanied by fever or malaise.
• Wear sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions (rare)
• For female only - notify health care professional of Lipitor regimen before treatment of surgery
• Follow-up exams to determine effectiveness and to monitor for side effects.
• Blood work and eye exam will be necessary during Lipitor treatment
• Don't take Lipitor if you're pregnant
• Avoid alcohol during Atorvastatin Calcium therapy.