How long should you take Atorvastatin - Blood pressure and everything about it

How do statin drugs work?

Statins are special medications that, together with other groups of drugs, help reduce cholesterol in the blood. The components of statins act primarily on the liver, namely on the liver enzyme responsible for the production of both good and bad cholesterol.

This enzyme has the name: “3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase.” Statins block the enzyme HGM-CoA, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol. After using these drugs, the risks of developing angina pectoris, as well as stroke or heart attack, are simultaneously reduced.

In addition, statins have an anti-inflammatory effect, which means that an already formed plaque will be much more stable and is unlikely to cause thrombosis (a blood clot in the lumen of a heart vessel or in its cavity, which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes).

The results of statin treatment are usually visible within the second month of use. They manifest themselves mainly in the dilation of the arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart muscle and reducing the risk of thrombosis.

The heart rhythm is also restored, and atherosclerosis plaques are maintained in a normal state.

Indications for use

Drugs such as statins should be taken by patients suffering from a number of the following problems:

• Angina pectoris that appeared after a heart attack;
• Increased production of thyroid hormones;
• High cholesterol content (if the substance exceeds 5.7 mmol/l and lifestyle adjustments no longer help);
• Previous stroke;
• Atherosclerosis (especially for older people);
• Diabetes;
• Cardiac ischemia.

Statins are also prescribed to patients who are at high risk of heart disease:

• Genetic predisposition;
• Overweight and obesity;
• Elderly age;
• Hypertension;
• Diabetes;
• Male gender.

Atorvastatin price, where to buy

The price of Atorvastatin 10 mg in Russia averages from 150 rubles. The price of Atorvastatin Teva in Ukraine is on average 330 hryvnia, the price of Atorvastatin 20 mg is on average 200 hryvnia.

• Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
• Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
• Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan

ZdravCity

• Atorvastatin tablets p.p.o.
  captivity. 10 mg 90 pcs. Vertex AO RUB 628 order
• Atorvastatin-teva tab. p.p.o. 40 mg n30Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd/Pharmachemie BV

  RUR 539 order

• Atorvastatin tablets p.p.o. 20 mg 30 pcs. Vertex AO

  424 RUR order

• Atorvastatin-obl tab. p/o captivity. 10mg No. 30AO Obolenskoe farm. company

  RUB 255 order

• Atorvastatin tablets p.p.o. captivity. 10 mg 30 pcs. Irbitsky HFZAO Irbitsky HFZ

  125 rub. order

Pharmacy Dialogue

• Atorvastatin tablets 10 mg No. 30Biocom

  160 rub. order

• Atorvastatin tablets 10 mg No. 30 Alsi Pharm

  122 RUR order

• Atorvastatin tablets p/o 20 mg No. 30 Alsi Pharm

  RUB 203 order

• Atorvastatin (tab.p.pl/vol.20mg No. 30)Vertex

  409 rub. order

  Read also:  Electrocardiogram when the heart rotates around the longitudinal axis
• Atorvastatin (tab.p.pl/vol. 10 mg No. 30)Vertex

  RUB 242 order

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Pharmacy24

• Atorvastatin 10 Ananta 10 mg No. 30 tablets Flamingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd., India
  62 UAH.order
• Atorvastatin 20 Ananta 20 mg No. 30 tablets Flamingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd., India

  75 UAH order

• Atorvastatin-Teva 20 mg N90 tablets Teva Pharma S.L.U., Spain

  405 UAH order

• Atorvastatin-Teva 10 mg N30 tablets Teva Pharma S.L.U., Spain

  112 UAH order

• Atorvastatin-Teva 20 mg N30 tablets Teva Pharma S.L.U., Spain

  149 UAH order

PaniPharmacy

• ATORVASTATIN tablets Atorvastatin tablets. 10 mg No. 30 Ireland, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals

  274 UAH order

• ATORVASTATIN tablets Atorvastatin tablets. 20 mg No. 30 Ireland, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals

  290 UAH. order

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Classification of statins and doses

Statins are a large class of medications that were first invented in the 1970s. The first statin went on sale in 1987.

Statins are classified as lipid-lowering drugs. They are used to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, as well as to reduce mortality from heart pathologies.

There are three types of drugs:

1. High dose statins. Such preparations contain more than 40 mg of active substance. This category includes drugs such as Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, and Fluvastatin. These include tablets such as: “Atoris”, “Liprimar”, “Torvacard”, “Visator”, “Tulip”, “Atomax”.
2. Medium dose statins. Such medications contain about 10-40 mg of active substance. These include: Pravastatin, Simvastatin and Rosuvastatin. These include tablets such as: “Lipostat”, “Simvastol”, “Simvalimit”, “Cardiolip”, “Rosucard”.
3. Low dose statins. The average value is usually 8 mg, and only one drug falls into this category: Pitavastatin. These include tablets such as: "Livazo".

The most popular and best studied drugs in Russia are Atorvastatin, Simvastatin and Rosuvastatin. They are currently used in treatment most often.

Currently, loud statements are increasingly heard that doctors do not sufficiently take into account side effects after taking statites. Some scientists are confident that these medications have a bad effect on the “healthy” fat that our body needs.

However, this should not be a reason to avoid using statins to reduce cholesterol levels. Perhaps it will be necessary to find out which patients suffer the most from the constituent substances of statins and offer them alternative treatment methods.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

It has high absorption, the highest concentration in the blood is observed one to two hours after administration. Bioavailability is low due to the presystemic clearance of the active substance in the gastric mucosa and the “first pass through the liver” effect - 12 percent. Approximately 98 percent of the dose taken is bound to plasma proteins. Metabolization occurs in the liver with the formation of active metabolites and inactive substances. The half-life is 14 hours. It is not excreted during hemodialysis.

Natural statins for high cholesterol

There are a number of natural remedies to reduce cholesterol levels in human blood. The list of products that help in treatment is quite wide and accessible to every patient, because it does not contain any special exotic elements.

For example, eating oyster mushrooms helps reduce cholesterol in the blood and also prevents plaques from growing. Mushrooms are also rich in plant proteins, which give you a feeling of fullness.

Foods rich in pectin (such as apples, citrus fruits, beets) help cleanse blood vessels of excess cholesterol. Regular consumption of these foods improves digestion and protects blood vessels from the formation of harmful plaques.

Flaxseed oil regulates cholesterol levels in the blood and also has a pronounced choleretic effect.

The coarse fibers of parsley help remove excess cholesterol from the human blood. Parsley removes harmful lipoproteins and increases the level of beneficial high-density lipoproteins.

Eating cilantro also helps lower blood cholesterol. If you want to find a replacement for synthetic statins, eat greens every day.

Eating 50 g of fresh lemon daily causes the substance cholesterol to break down into simple substances derived from it, if the patient has no contraindications to the acidic environment of food.

People who regularly consume lemons and other citrus fruits help their body get rid of toxins and dangerous LDL with ease.

How to take it correctly

Of course, each drug has its own instructions for use, which will indicate the correct dosage of the drug. But there are general rules for taking statins:

• Statins should be taken only in the evening once a day, and preferably 2-3 hours before bedtime, because these drugs are well absorbed only at rest. However, drugs such as Atorvastatin and Rosuvostatin can be taken throughout the day.
• These medications should be taken with some breaks.
• For pathological liver diseases, Rosuvastatin is prescribed in small quantities. Its dosage causes the least harm to the body.
• While taking statins, you need to monitor your diet and give up bad habits: drinking alcohol and smoking.

Patients generally take statins in doses of 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/day, with a dose of 80 mg being the maximum.

The recommended starting dosage of statins is 10-20 mg once a day in the evening. At this time, cholesterol synthesis occurs.

Atorvastatin tablets - instructions for use, precautions, reviews

This article will provide instructions for the use of Atorvastatin, indications and contraindications for the use of this drug, as well as real reviews from those who have already used it.
Atorvastatin is a drug that reduces the amount of lipoproteins in the blood. The main active component of this drug is a substance with the same name Atorvastatin. In addition, it is also a component of other drugs of similar action - Atoris, Liprimar, Vasilip.

Drug therapy using this drug helps reduce the content of lipoproteins in the body. Simply put, the medicine is designed to lower cholesterol.

The product is available in the form of tablets, which are coated with a white film coating. The dosage varies: 10, 20 or 40 milligrams. Atorvastatin belongs to the group of lipid-lowering drugs.

Atorvastatin, as an effective drug, is a special hypocholesterolemic drug. During application, the product inhibits the enzyme in a special way, which in turn regulates the rate of its conversion into a substance such as mevalonate. This is a precursor of sterols, among which cholesterol is also harmful to humans.

In patients suffering from one form or another of atherosclerotic manifestations, a positive effect is observed quite quickly. A decrease in cholesterol levels is observed in all cases and for all possible causes of pathology - heredity, poor lifestyle or side effects from taking medications.

One course of treatment is sufficient to reduce low-density cholesterol and general category substances.

Simultaneously with the effective reduction of cholesterol, Atorvastatin quickly reduces the percentage of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerols present in the human body. At the same time, the amount of higher density lipoproteins increases slightly.

These processes are achieved while taking the drug due to a significant reduction in the overall activity of a product such as reductase and by reducing the process of cholesterol production in the liver. The process is influenced by the fact that in the liver the total volume of low-density lipoprotein receptors, which are formed on the surface of liver cells, seriously increases.

Taking Atorvastatin helps reduce the risk of developing dangerous ischemia, unstable angina and possible mortality in people of all ages.

At the same time, the drug reduces the risk of fatal vascular and heart diseases, and the overall incidence of diseases classified as cardiovascular is reduced. The impact is on the frequency of stroke categories fatal and fatal.

Immediately after taking the drug, the main active substance is absorbed by the intestines, is very quickly absorbed there and reaches maximum plasma concentration after two hours. The concentration of the drug substance is directly proportional to the therapeutic dosage consumed.

The overall bioavailability of the drug during oral administration is relatively low, approximately 12%. The reason for this factor lies in the presystemic clearance of the drug during its establishment in the digestive tract.

There is also a “first pass through the liver” effect. Approximately 98% of the total dose taken can be bound to plasma proteins.

The process of complete metabolism of Atorvastatin in the body is carried out through active metabolites and all inactive substances included in the composition.

The medical drug Atorvastatin, the instructions for use of which are quite simple, is used strictly in well-chosen complex therapy. It is advisable to combine the course of treatment with diets and exercise prescribed by specialists.

The remedy is prescribed exclusively to those who experience unpleasant symptoms of diseases associated with high cholesterol. The drug is prescribed to effectively increase such beneficial substances as high-density cholesterol. If a previously prescribed and followed diet did not produce any positive results, a therapeutic course of the drug will come in handy.

Quite often, the drug is prescribed to patients who experience unpleasant symptoms of heart disease and vascular problems.

Also, the basis for prescribing the drug is the prevention of the development of vascular diseases due to such factors as:

1. Arterial hypertension;
2. Diabetes;
3. Smoking;
4. Confirmed low cholesterol levels with high density values;
5. If there is a certain hereditary factor, for example, if there have been cases in the family where relatively young people had heart problems.

For such patients, the drug is prescribed as a means of reducing the risk of death in the event of a sudden heart attack or after the development of coronary heart disease. The drug is used in pediatrics, it is prescribed to adolescents from 10 to 16 years old, in whom tests show elevated cholesterol and lipoproteins, characterized by low density values.

Important! People with the problems listed above are necessarily prescribed a special diet; if it does not give the desired result, doctors use Atorvastatin.

The described drug is intended strictly for oral administration. Before starting the prescribed therapy, the specialist carefully examines the patient, determines the level of general hypercholesterolemia, which is noted after a course of physical exercises and other measures that are aimed at reducing total body weight in those who suffer from severe obesity.

There are several other important rules regarding the use of this drug:

• Before using the drug, careful therapy of the main concomitant medications is carried out.
• The pills are taken while following the usual anti-cholesterol diet in medicine.
• The permissible daily dose of the drug, which is prescribed by a doctor, is taken at a time. Meal times are not particularly important here.
• The dosage and total time of treatment with Atorvastatin is determined by the doctor, who bases his decision on the patient’s general condition, cholesterol level, and general tolerability of the drug.

For the initial form of high cholesterol or mixed hyperlipidemia, the drug is prescribed at a dosage of 10 mg per day. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the dosage can be adjusted, the doctor relying on the general dynamics of the disease and the patient’s condition.

Other dosage rules include:

• Homozygous familial high cholesterolemia is treated with the drug in a dosage of 55 to 75 mg per day. This form of treatment allows you to reduce the amount of cholesterol by 30-45% per course;
• If a doctor has identified the problem of high cholesterol in a teenager from 10 to 17 years old, Atorvastatin, the indications for use of which are quite clear, is prescribed in an amount of 10 mg per day at the initial stage.
• If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 20 mg per day. A higher dosage is not prescribed - this is a general rule in pediatrics;
• When treating elderly patients, dosage adjustments for kidney and liver problems are not required. The maximum dose for such patients is approximately 80 mg.

Before treatment, the specialist must check the indicators of liver function and function, and at the same time monitor the organ during the treatment process. If therapy causes an increase in alanine aminotransferase activity by approximately three times, the drug is discontinued.

The drug must be taken under the close supervision of a doctor. The drug, like all pharmaceuticals, can cause health problems based on side effects.

Among the main unpleasant accompanying symptoms from using a drug such as Atorvastatin, side effects may be the following:

• Nervous system – athenia, headache, insomnia, neuropathy.
• Musculoskeletal system - convulsions, pain in joints and muscle tissue, development of myositis or myopathy.
• Digestive organs - failure of the intestines, nausea, loss of appetite, accumulation of gases, pain, changes in the composition of plasma.
• Liver reactions – jaundice, hepatitis, cholestasis.

In rare cases, unpleasant allergic reactions are observed - apolecia, itching on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, and the manifestation of urticaria. Some men have complained of erectile dysfunction. In pediatric use, the drug may cause undesirable effects such as an increased risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea and abdominal pain.

In some cases, adolescents experience memory loss, severe ringing in the ears, and severe fatigue. In some cases, urticaria, necrolysis, severe itching, rash and even allergic swelling may appear.

Important! Regardless of the age category of patients, taking Atorvastatin may be accompanied by the development of a problem such as myopathy with a simultaneous increase in the level of a substance such as creatine phosphokinase. If these problems exist, the drug should be temporarily or permanently discontinued.

An increased risk of the occurrence and development of side effects is observed in those who simultaneously take antifungal agents and various derivatives of special fibric acid along with this drug.

Doctors do not prescribe the drug Atorvastatin to people who have hypersensitivity to the main therapeutic component of the drug.

At the same time, the drug is not prescribed to those who have individual lactose intolerance, those who suffer from liver diseases and those with elevated levels of activity of components such as hepatic transaminase.

The drug is not prescribed to children under 10 years of age. Some caution should be exercised when prescribing tablets to patients with severe infectious diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and also after undergoing surgery the day before or having been injured. In these cases, Atorvastatin 10 mg, whose price is low, is not prescribed.

Contraindications

Contraindications for taking statins include the following factors:

1. Liver disorders;
2. Impaired kidney function;
3. Pregnancy and lactation period;
4. Hypersensitivity to the drug or its components.

If a blood test showed elevated ATL and AST enzymes by more than 3 times, and the level of CPK by more than 5 times, then taking statins for cholesterol is also contraindicated.

It is also undesirable to take statins for women of childbearing age who do not use contraception and have a high risk of pregnancy.

Relative contraindications

The following groups of people should take statins with caution:

• Women over 65 years of age who are already taking multiple medications;
• Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, when sugar levels are not controlled;
• Patients with fatty hepatosis with elevated enzyme levels;
• People who have ever had liver disease.

However, statins can be prescribed to the above groups, but in individual dosages.

The benefit of statins against cholesterol is that they protect a person from the development of pathologies such as myocardial infarction, rhythm disturbances (which can cause cardiac arrest), cerebral stroke, and thrombosis.

These pathologies lead to the death of thousands of people every day and are considered one of the main causes of death on the entire planet. While the risk of dying from fatty hepatosis is extremely minimal.

Combination with other medications

Before starting statins, you must stop taking antibiotics, immune medications, and birth control pills. If you take statins together with the above drugs, there is a high risk of developing complications in the functioning of the kidneys and liver.

The harm from taking statins increases when they are combined with drugs such as thiazide diuretics (hypothiazides), macrolides (azithromycins), and calcium antagonists (amlodipines). This is why you should not prescribe statin treatment on your own.

The doctor must first evaluate all the medications the patient is taking. The doctor must decide whether this combination of medications is contraindicated.

Atorvastatin – important information about the drug

Do not miss an appointment with your doctor or laboratory tests. During your treatment, your doctor may order additional laboratory tests, especially if you have symptoms of liver damage.

Before you have any laboratory tests/tests (for example, for other medical conditions), tell your other healthcare providers or laboratory personnel that you are taking Atorvastatin.

Be careful to ensure that no one else in your family accidentally takes this drug. The best option is to store absolutely all medications in places that are difficult for children (and pets) to reach.

It is important to keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take (as well as vitamins, minerals or other dietary/biological supplements). You should bring this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. Also, this will be no less (!) important information in case of emergency situations.

Side effects of statins

In general, patients tolerate statins well, but the effect of these drugs on the human body still does not pass without consequences. Mostly, the serious side effects of statins affect a person’s muscle mass. In most cases, it manifests itself in the form of myopia, muscle soreness and weakening.

There are also a number of side effects when using statins:

• Kidney failure;
• Headache;
• Intestinal disorders;
• Allergy;
• Rash on the surface of the skin;
• Insomnia;
• constipation or diarrhea;
• Muscle weakness.

There are a number of rarer side effects when using statins:

1. Rhinitis;
2. Hepatitis;
3. Memory impairment;
4. Pathology of Gospel.

If the patient is dependent on alcohol consumption, then there is a high probability of a massive increase in liver enzymes. However, after stopping drinking alcohol, this process stops. This is why it is important to get rid of all bad habits during treatment and taking statins.

It is important to note that side effects after taking statins may not appear immediately, but after two to three months of using the drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the dosage prescribed by the doctor, and also monitor the duration of use.

Reviews

We have selected some people's reviews about the drug Atorvastatin:

1. Anna. In March I was hospitalized with arrhythmia. I am 68 years old. The doctor prescribed Egilok, atorvastatin and Eliquis. What started here! I have never suffered from problems with the bladder in my life, but now, and three months have already passed, I have lower back pain, frequent urination, burning sensation when urinating - so I decided to give up this atorvastatin. We treat one, and cripple the other! I bought Altai herbal infusions and will now treat urea with them! At least for a long time, but without side effects! When you read about the side effects, your hair stands on end! They write that a doctor should control it, but who controls us? Only the money in our wallet that we pay for these miracle drugs in quotes is controlled! It’s as if they are made from pure gold and diamonds!
2. Karina. I have been taking atorvastatin for a long time. I have glaucoma. Unfortunately, I only now realized that this drug has glaucoma as a side effect. This means I shouldn’t take it and my vision has worsened...
3. Eugene. I was on a diet, but the cardiologist said that diet alone would not help with my IHD and prescribed Novostat. Cholesterol decreased from 7.5 to 3.0. There were no side effects when taking it.

In general, reviews of Atorvastatin on forums indicate the high effectiveness of the drug, but it is worth considering that the drug cannot be combined with many other substances.

How long should you take statins?

The fact is that the duration of the course of taking statins (as well as the dosage) is always individual for each patient. This depends on many factors, including the age, weight of the patient, and the complexity of the disease.

The duration of the course of medication is prescribed directly by the attending physician. Some patients take statins for up to two to three months, others take medications for six months to a year, and some need to take statins for the rest of their lives. Everything is individual.

Cardiologists recommend taking statins for life because in this case, fatty plaques will not be able to settle on the walls of blood vessels and damage them.