Drug Name
Generic Name: atorvastatin calcium
Brand Name: Lipitor
Classification: Antihyperlipidemic, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
Pregnancy Category X
Dosage & Route
ADULTS
- Initially, 10 mg PO once daily without regard to meals; for maintenance, 10–80 mg PO daily. May be combined with bile acid–binding resin.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS 10–17 YR
- Initially, 10 mg PO daily. Maximum, 20 mg/day; do not change dose of intervals < 4 wk.
Therapeutic actions
Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the cholesterol synthesis pathway, resulting in a decrease in serum cholesterol, serum LDLs (associated with increased risk of CAD), and increases serum HDLs (associated with decreased risk of CAD); increases hepatic LDL recapture sites, enhances reuptake and catabolism of LDL; lowers triglyceride levels.
Indications
- Adjunct to diet in treatment of elevated total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (types IIa and IIb) and mixed dyslipidemia, primary dysbetalipoproteinemia, and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia whose response to dietary restriction of saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures has not been adequate
- To increase HDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia
- Adjunct to diet to treat elevated serum triglyceride levels
- Adjunct to diet in treatment of boys and postmenarchal girls ages 10–17 with heterozygous familial cholesterolemia if diet alone is not adequate to control lipid levels and LDL-C levels are > 190 mg/dL or if LDL-C level is > 160 mg/dL and there is a family history of premature CV disease or the child has two or more risk factors for the development of coronary disease
- Prevention of CV disease in adults without clinically evident coronary disease but with multiple risk factors for CAD such as age > 55 yr, smoking, hypertension, low HDL-C, family history of early CAD; to reduce the risk of MI and risk for revascularization procedures and angina
Adverse effects
- CNS: Headache, asthenia
- GI: Flatulence, abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, heartburn, liver failure
- Respiratory: Sinusitis, pharyngitis
- Other: Rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure, arthralgia, myalgia
Contraindications
- Contraindicated with allergy to atorvastatin, fungal byproducts, active liver disease or unexplained and persistent elevations of transaminase levels, pregnancy, lactation.
- Use cautiously with impaired endocrine function.
Nursing considerations
CLINICAL ALERT! Name confusion has been reported between written orders for Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zyrtec (certirizine). Use extreme caution.
Assessment
- History: Allergy to atorvastatin, fungal byproducts; active hepatic disease; acute serious illness; pregnancy, lactation
- Physical: Orientation, affect, muscle strength; liver evaluation, abdominal examination; lipid studies, LFTs, renal function tests
Interventions
- Obtain LFTs as a baseline and periodically during therapy; discontinue drug if AST or ALT levels increase to 3 times normal levels.
- WARNING: Withhold atorvastatin in any acute, serious condition (severe infection, hypotension, major surgery, trauma, severe metabolic or endocrine disorder, seizures) that may suggest myopathy or serve as risk factor for development of renal failure.
- Ensure that patient has tried cholesterol-lowering diet regimen for 3–6 mo before beginning therapy.
- Administer drug without regard to food, but at same time each day.
- Atorvastatin may be combined with a bile acid–binding agent. Do not combine with other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or fibrates.
- Consult dietitian about low-cholesterol diets.
- WARNING: Ensure that patient is not pregnant and has appropriate contraceptives available during therapy; serious fetal damage has been associated with this drug.
Teaching points
- Take this drug once a day, at about the same time each day, preferably in the evening; may be taken with food. Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this drug.
- Institute appropriate dietary changes.
- Arrange to have periodic blood tests while you are taking this drug.
- Alert any health care provider that you are on this drug; it will need to be discontinued if acute injury or illness occurs.
- Do not become pregnant while you are on this drug; use barrier contraceptives. If you wish to become pregnant or think you are pregnant, consult your health care provider.
- You may experience these side effects: Nausea (eat frequent small meals); headache, muscle and joint aches and pains (may lessen over time).
- Report muscle pain, weakness, tenderness; malaise; fever; changes in color of urine or stool; swelling.