Lipitor Tablets (Atorvastatin Calcium Trihydrate)

Adult dose

The recommended initial dose for patients with hyperlipidemia is 10 mg of atorvastatin once daily, and if a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol is needed, treatment may start at 20 mg or 40 mg once daily. This medication is administered in the range of 10-80 mg once daily. Lipid levels should be analyzed and dosages adjusted within 2 to 4 weeks after starting or adjusting the dosage.

Child dose

The recommended initial dose for pediatric patients (10-17 years) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is 10 mg per day, and the maximum dose is 20 mg per day. Dosage adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more, based on the patient's treatment goals.

This medication may cause muscle problems; therefore, if severe muscle pain or weakness occurs, or if blood tests show significantly elevated creatine kinase levels, discontinue use immediately. Particular caution is needed for patients with severe infections, hypotension, major surgery or trauma, metabolic disorders, and those with uncontrolled epilepsy, as they may need to temporarily stop taking the drug. Patients who have allergies to this medication or its ingredients, severely impaired liver function, muscle diseases, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 10 years old should not take this medication. Alcoholics and those with a history of liver disease should use it with caution. Additionally, individuals with renal impairment or hypothyroidism, family history of muscle disorders, or previous muscle side effects from similar medications should also exercise caution. While this drug is generally well-tolerated, side effects such as muscle pain, dyspepsia, headaches, infections, impaired liver function, skin rashes, etc., may occur, so consult a doctor if any unusual symptoms arise. In particular, if severe muscle pain or weakness is evident, contact the hospital immediately and undergo testing. This medication is metabolized by the liver; therefore, patients with poor liver function may need dosage adjustment and should discontinue use if symptoms of hepatitis or liver issues (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, etc.) appear. Women of childbearing potential must use appropriate contraception during treatment and discontinue use if pregnancy is confirmed. Moreover, breastfeeding women should not take this medication, as it can pass into breast milk. This medication has many drug interactions, so follow the doctor’s guidance strictly when taking it with specific antibiotics, antifungals, HIV medications, some antihypertensives, oral contraceptives, grapefruit juice, etc. No specific detoxification method exists for overdose, so treatment should be symptomatic, and liver function and muscle-related tests should be performed regularly. Store this medication out of reach of children and keep it in its original container. Elderly patients or those with weak renal function are at higher risk for muscle side effects and should be monitored more closely. Symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, fever, or fatigue during treatment should be reported immediately to healthcare professionals.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweat, paleness, severe rash with high fever, blisters, skin peeling, pain in oral/eye mucosa, severe skin reactions, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, respiratory distress with cough and fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), extreme lethargy, liver dysfunction (jaundice), sudden severe headache, thunderclap headache, seizures

Mild side effects

• Weakness
• fatigue
• chest pain
• peripheral edema
• fever
• rhinopharyngitis
• hyperglycemia
• hypoglycemia
• weight gain
• loss of appetite

This medication should be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air or moisture. It is best to maintain a storage temperature between 1°C and 30°C.

Appearance

White circular film-coated tablets

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 300 tablets/bottle