DRUG STUDY

Drug/ Dosage/ Action Administration Adverse Reaction Indications/Contraindications/ Nursing Considerations

Classification Cautions
Generic Name: Atorvastatin is a statin > The recommended CNS: Headache and Indications: To prevent 1. Review Doctors order before
ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM medication and a starting dose of asthenia cardiovascular events in patients administration.
competitive inhibitor of the LIPITOR is 10 or 20 mg with cardiac risk factors and for 2. Advise patient that this medication
enzyme HMG-CoA once daily. GI: Flatulence, abdominal patients with abnormal lipid profiles. should be used in conjunction with
(hydroxymethylglutaryl pain, cramps, diet restrictions.
coenzyme A) reductase, > Patients who require constipation, nausea, Contraindications: Atorvastatin is 3. Instruct patient to take drug at the
which catalyzes the a large reduction in dyspepsia, heartburn, contraindicated in patients with same time each day to maintain its
conversion of HMG-CoA to LDL-C (more than liver failure active hepatic disease (including effects.
mevalonate. Atorvastatin 45%) may be started cholestasis, hepatic encephalopathy, 4. Monitor liver function tests prior to
Brand Name:
acts primarily in the liver, at 40 mg once daily. Respiratory: Sinusitis, hepatitis, and jaundice) or initiation of therapy and as clinically
Lipitor
where decreased hepatic pharyngitis unexplained persistent elevations in indicated.
cholesterol concentrations > Atorvastatin can be serum aminotransferase 5. Instruct patient to take medication as
Dosage:
stimulate the upregulation administered as a Other: Rhabdomyolysis concentrations because all statins directed. If a dose is missed, omit and
20 mg 1 tab OD
of hepatic low-density single dose at bedtime with acute renal failure, are hepatically cleared and can cause resume usual schedule with next
lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, with or without food. arthralgia, myalgia elevations in liver biochemistries, dose. Do not double up on missed
Pharmacological class:
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA which increases hepatic there is a concern that patients with doses.
uptake of LDL. > And administer this underlying liver disease may be at 6. Check lipid panel at baseline, 6–8
(HMG-CoA) reductase
drug orally. increased risk for hepatotoxicity. weeks after starting or adjusting the
inhibitors (statins)
medication/dose, and then every 4–6
Cautions: months.
> Do not breastfeed while taking this 7. Check LFTs at baseline, approximately
drug without consulting physician. 12 weeks after starting therapy, then
annually or more frequently if
indicated.
8. Advise patient to avoid drinking more
than one quart of grapefruit juice or 2
glasses of alcohol per day during
therapy.
9. Instruct female patients to notify health
care professional promptly if pregnancy is
planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
10. Instruct patient to notify health care
professional promptly if unexplained
muscle pain, or weakness occurs.

Medscape atorvastatin (Rx). (2020). Retrieved from https://reference.medscape.com/drug/lipitor-atorvastatin-342446.