Atorvastatin

Question 1

What class of drugs is Atorvastatin?

Answer 1

Statin

Question 2

What are the common indications for Atorvastatin?

Answer 2

• Primary hypercholesterolaemia
• Familial hypercholesterolaemia
• Primary and secondary prevention of CVD in those at high risk

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of Atorvastatin?

Answer 3

Competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase (less cholesterol produced)

and. ..
* upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors
* increased clearance of circulating LDL

It has a longer half life than e.g. simvastatin, first pass metabolism creates more active derivatives

Question 4

What are important adverse drug reactions of Atorvastatin?

Answer 4

• GI disruption
• Nausea
• Headache
• Myalgia (dose related)
• Rhabdomyolysis (rare)
• Increased liver enzymes

Question 5

What are important drug-drug interactions of Atorvastatin?

Answer 5

• Amiodarone, diltiazem, macroclides - increase the plasma conc of statin due to CYP3A4 inhibition