Atorlip-80 (Atorvastatin 80mg)

Atorlip-80 general information

What is Atorlip-80 used for?

Atorlip tablets 80mg are used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina, that can be caused by high cholesterol. Atorlip-80 is also used, in conjunction with a low-fat diet to prevent the progression of CHD, if symptoms are already present, and also to treat people with diabetes or history of stroke, to reduce the need for surgery, and reduce the risk of stroke or peripheral vascular disease. There are usually no symptoms when you have high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited.

How does Atorlip-80 work?

Atorlip tablets 80mg contain atorvastatin which belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowing medications called statins. Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body. However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease. Atorvastatin in Atorlip-80 reduces the production of cholesterol by the liver by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Atorlip-80 lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked, and also increases levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries. Atorlip-80 only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Atorlip-80.

What does Atorlip-80 contain?

Atorlip-80 contains atorvastatin, which is a cholesterol-lowing medication belonging to the group of drugs called statins.
What Atorlip doses are available?
Atorlip tablets are available to order and buy online from Inhouse Pharmacy in doses of 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg as packs of 30 tablets, also 80mg in packs of 7 tablets.

Lowering Cholesterol with Atorlip-80

Atorlip tablets 80mg contain the cholesterol-lowing statin medication atorvastatin, which is used to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood to reduce health risks associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), including heart attack and angina that can be caused by high cholesterol. Atorvastatin in Atorlip-80 reduces the production of cholesterol by the liver by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Atorlip-80 40 lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) that can cause arteries to become hardened and blocked, and also increases levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) that helps unblock hardened arteries. There are usually no symptoms when you have high cholesterol, which may be due to lifestyle (high-fat diet and lack of exercise) or can be inherited.

Treating High cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) with Atorlip-80

Atorlip tablets 80mg are used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia), which can increase risk of heart disease. Cholesterol is needed by the body for many functions such as building cell membranes, producing certain hormones and transporting fat soluble vitamins around the body. However, if there is more cholesterol than the body needs, it becomes deposited in the artery walls where it can build up, blocking the arteries and causing hardened areas called plaque, which increases risk of heart disease. Atorlip-80 is used to lower high levels of cholesterol and other fats (triglycerides) in the blood, by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver where it inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Atorlip-80 only blocks cholesterol that is produced in the liver and has no effect on cholesterol that comes from fat in food, which is why a low-fat diet is important even when you are taking Atorlip-80 40.

Effects of alcohol and grapefruit on Atorlip-80

Alcohol if drunk is large quantities may increase the risk of liver problems when taking Atorlip-80. Grapefruit juice in large quantities (more than one litre a day) can also increase risk of side effects as it increases the amount of Atorlip-80 that gets into your blood.
What are the side effects of Atorlip-80?
The more common side effect reported with using Atorlip-80 include: constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, headache and dizziness. More serious side effects are less common and may include: muscle ache, tenderness or weakness, not caused by exercise, tingling in the hands or feet (paraesthesia), insomnia, fever, skin rash, itchiness, hives, painful, swollen joints, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), anaemia.

When should Atorlip-80 not be used?

You should not use Atorlip-80 40 if you:

• are allergic to atorvastatin or to any of the other ingredients of Atorlip-80
• have active liver disease
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding
• are taking other medication that interacts with Atorlip-80, including: macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, ritonavir for itraconazole and ketoconazole use to treat fungal infection, cyclosporin, used to suppress the immune system, cardiac glycosides like digoxin, antacids for indigestion, anticoagulants such as coumarin verapamil or diltiazem, medicines used to treat high blood pressure, angina, or other heart conditions, amiodarone, used to treat irregular heart beat.

What medications interact with Atorlip-80?

Several medications interact with Atorlip-80 and should either not be taken while you are taking Atorlip-80 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increase risk of side effects with Atorlip-80: macrolide antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, HIV protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir, itraconazole and ketoconazole use to treat fungal infection
• Drugs that affect Atorlip-80: other cholesterol lowering medication such as gemfibrozil, cyclosporin, used to suppress the immune system, verapamil or diltiazem, medicines used to treat high blood pressure, angina, or other heart conditions, amiodarone, used to treat irregular heart beat, anticoagulants such as warfarin
• Drugs that are affected by Atorlip-80: digoxin for heart failure; oral contaceptives

How should Atorlip-80 be taken?

You should take Atorlip tablets 80mg with a glass of water once a day, preferably in the evening after your evening meal, although you can take Atorlip-80 with or without food. Atorlip-80 is most effective at night when your body is at resting and your liver is producing the most cholesterol. You should continue to take Atorlip-80 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for the rest of your life as Atorlip-80 helps keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Atorlip-80, your cholesterol levels may rise again.

How long should you take Atorlip-80?

Atorlip-80 helps keep your cholesterol levels from being too high and if you stop taking Atorlip-80, your cholesterol levels may rise again. Therefore you may need to take Atorlip-80 for the rest of your life, if recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Atorlip-80

If you miss a dose of Atorlip-80, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Atorlip-80 be stored?

You should keep your Atorlip-80 tablets in the blister packs until use and store them in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.