Atorvastatin

Administration

  • Type: Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor)
  • Dosage Forms:
  • Routes of Administration: PO
  • Common Trade Names: Lipitor

Adult Dosing

Hyperlipidemia

  • Moderate Intensity: 10-20 mg PO daily
  • High Intensity: 40-80 mg PO daily

Acute coronary syndrome

  • 80 mg PO (Single dose prior to PCI)

Pediatric Dosing

Special Populations

  • Pregnancy Rating: X
  • Lactation risk: Generally not recommended while breastfeeding
  • Renal Dosing
    • No adjustment
  • Hepatic Dosing
    • Contraindicated in patients with active liver disease

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug

Adverse Reactions

Serious

Common

Pharmacology

  • Half-life: Approximately 14 hours[1]
  • Metabolism: Metabolized by cytochrome CYP3A4
  • Excretion: Metabolites are eliminated via bile.

Mechanism of Action

  • Inhibits rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-COA reductase.
  • Additionally known to have "pleiotropic effects", which include plaque stabilization, improved endothelial function, decreased oxidative stress and inflammation, and thrombogenic response inhibition.[2]

Comments

See Also

References

  1. McIver LA, Siddique MS. Atorvastatin. [Updated 2022 Nov 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430779/
  2. Liao JK, Laufs U. Pleiotropic effects of statins. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005;45:89-118. doi: 10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.45.120403.095748. PMID: 15822172; PMCID: PMC2694580.