Atorvastatin Calcium (Antihyperlipidemic)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Atorvastatin Calcium?

Answer 1

Lipitor

Question 2

What are the available doses of Lipitor tablets?

Answer 2

10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg

Question 3

Fill in the blanks. Lipitor is indicated as an adjunct to diet to ______ elevated total ________, _____, ____, ______, and to increase ______ levels in patients with primary hypercholesteremia, mixed dyslipidemia, in patients with with elevated serum triglyceride levels, and in primary dysbetalipoproeinemia and in patients with multiple coronary heart disease risk factors ro reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, angina, and revacdularization procedures. Begin with __mg ____ a day, with to without meals. The dosage range is __ to __mg per day, given at any time of the day.

Answer 3

Lipitor is indicated as an adjunct to diet to REDUCE elevated total CHOLESTEROL, LDL-C, apo B, & triglyceride levels, and to increase HDL-C levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, in patients with with elevated serum triglyceride levels, and in primary dysbetalipoproeinemia and in patients with multiple coronary heart disease risk factors to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, angina, and revacdularization procedures. Begin with 10 mg ONCE a day, with or without meals. The dosage range is 10 to 80 mg per day, given at any time of the day.

Question 4

For most indications, what is the dosing range for Atorvastatin Calcium?

Answer 4

10mg - 80mg, given QD, at any time in the day

Question 5

What is the dosing of Lipitor if used in pediatric patients age 10-17?

Answer 5

Start with 10mg QD and titrate to a maximum of 20mg per day in 4 week intervals

Question 6

What should the providers monitor when their patient is taking Lipitor?

Answer 6

Lipid Panel, Liver Function Tests

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of Lipitor?

Answer 7

Atorvastatin is a selective, competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.

Question 8

What are the drug interactions of Lipitor?

Answer 8

• May increase digoxin levels
• Coadministration with any of the following drugs may increase the plasma levels of atorvastatin: gemfibrozil, grapefruit juice, nicotinic acid, itraconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azole antifungals, protease inhibitor combinations (ritonavir + saquinavir, lopinavir + ritonavir), and cyclosporine

Question 9

What are the contraindications of Atorvastatin Calcium?

Answer 9

• Contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation
• Contraindicated in patients with active liver disease or unexplained persistent elevation of serum transaminases
• Use with caution in patients with any amount of liver dysfunction and in patients whom consume large amount of alcohol.
• It is recommended that liver function tests be performed every 6 weeks during the first 3 months of therapy and periodically thereafter.
• Increase in serum transaminase of more than 3 times the normal level should warrant discontinuation.
• If serum transaminase levels do not decrease upon DC, a liver biopsy should be considered.
• May cause myopathy or rhabdomyolysis
• Myopathy should be considered in any patient experiencing diffuse myalgia, muscle tenderness or weakness, or marked elevation of CPK.
• Pregnancy Category X

Question 10

What are the adverse effects of Lipitor?

Answer 10

The most frequent adverse effects of constipation, diarrhea, dyspneic, and flatulence. Contact physician if symptoms of myopathy occurs.

Question 11

What should the RPh counsel the patient on with Lipitor?

Answer 11

• Closely follow prescribed diet. Patients should be placed on a cholesterol-lowering diet before drug therapy and should continue on this diet during treatment
• Avoid overexposure to sunlight due to possibility of photosensitivity
• Do NOT become pregnant during therapy
• Limit alcohol intake during therapy
• If dose is missed, take ASAP. If more than 8 hours past the original time of dose, skip the dose.
• Contact a physician if symptoms of myopathy occur