Atorvastatin calcium
Consumer Medicine Information
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start Atorvastatin AN.
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some of the more common questions about Atorvastatin AN.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Atorvastatin AN against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Atorvastatin AN is used for
Atorvastatin AN is used to lower high cholesterol levels.
Atorvastatin AN is also used to help reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke in people who have high blood pressure and coronary heart disease (CHD) or who are at risk of CHD. Examples of risk factors for CHD include diabetes, a history of stroke, or small blood vessel disease.
What is cholesterol?
Everyone has cholesterol in their blood. It is a type of blood fat needed by the body for many things, such as building the cell lining, making bile acids (which help to digest food) and some hormones. However, too much cholesterol can be a problem.
Cholesterol is present in many foods and is also made in your body by the liver. If your body makes too much cholesterol or you have too much cholesterol in your diet, then your level becomes too high.
High cholesterol is more likely to occur with certain diseases or if you have a family history of high cholesterol.
There are different types of cholesterol. LDL, or low density lipoprotein, is the ‘bad’ cholesterol that can block your blood vessels. HDL, or high density lipoprotein, cholesterol is the ‘good’ cholesterol that is thought to remove the bad cholesterol from the blood vessels.
When you have high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood, it may begin to ‘stick’ to the inside of your blood vessels instead of being carried to the parts of the body where it is needed. Over time, this can form hard areas, also called plaque, on the walls of your blood vessels, making it more difficult for the blood to flow. This blocking of your blood vessels can lead to several types of blood vessel disease, heart attack, angina and stroke.
There is another type of blood fat called triglyceride, which is a source of energy. However, high levels of triglyceride can be associated with a low level of ‘good’ cholesterol and may increase your risk of heart disease.
In some patients, Atorvastatin AN is used to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides together.
How Atorvastatin AN works
Atorvastatin AN belongs to a group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Atorvastatin AN reduces the ‘bad’ cholesterol and raises the ‘good’ cholesterol. Atorvastatin AN also helps to protect you from a heart attack or stroke.
When you are taking Atorvastatin AN, you also need to follow a low fat diet. Your doctor may suggest ways to help control your condition such as exercise, weight control and stopping smoking.
In most people, there are no symptoms of abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Your doctor can measure your levels with a simple blood test.
Your doctor may have prescribed Atorvastatin AN for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Atorvastatin AN has been prescribed for you.
Atorvastatin AN is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before you take it
When you must not take it
Do not take Atorvastatin AN if:
- you have ever had an allergic reaction to taking Atorvastatin AN or atorvastatin in the past
- you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
– shortness of breath
– wheezing or difficulty breathing
– swelling of the face, lips tongue or other parts of the body
– rash, itching or hives on the skin - you have active liver disease
- you have had muscle pain, tenderness or weakness from other medicines used to treat high cholesterol or triglycerides.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
If you are a woman of child-bearing age and are taking this medicine, use a proven method of birth control to avoid pregnancy. The medicine may affect your unborn developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
Do not take Atorvastatin AN if you are taking the antibiotic fusidic acid which is used to treat infections.
Do not take the medicine if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. The medicine may pass into breast milk and affect your baby.
Do not take if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work or it may make you unwell.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether to start taking Atorvastatin AN, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Your doctor will ask you to have your liver function tested before you start to take Atorvastatin AN and from time to time while you are taking Atorvastatin AN.
Tell your doctor if you have had any of the following health or medical problems:
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- muscle pain, tenderness or weakness from other medicines used to treat high cholesterol or triglycerides
- breathing problems
- have had a type of stroke called a haemorrhagic stroke or a type of stroke called a lacunar stroke
This medicine may increase the risk of you having another haemorrhagic stroke - drink alcohol regularly
- have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take any Atorvastatin AN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or remedies, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with Atorvastatin AN.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
- digoxin, a medicine used to treat some heart problems
- the antibiotics erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, or fusidic acid
- phenytoin, a medicine used to treat epilepsy (seizures)
- oral contraceptives for birth control
- other medicines to treat high cholesterol or triglycerides
- antacids, medicines used to treat reflux and ulcers
- cyclosporin, a medicine used to suppress the immune system
- some medicines used to treat some fungal infections, such as itraconazole
- efavirenz and protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection and/or Hepatitis C
- diltiazem, a medicine used to treat angina
- spironolactone, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of swelling
- vitamin B3
- colchicine, a medicine used to treat a disease with painful, swollen joints caused by uric acid crystals.
These medicines may be affected by Atorvastatin AN, or may affect how well it works. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Atorvastatin AN.
How to take it
Take Atorvastatin AN exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. These directions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Take Atorvastatin AN only when prescribed by your doctor.
The usual dose of Atorvastatin AN is between 10-80 mg taken once a day.
Swallow Atorvastatin AN with a full glass of water or other liquid.
When to take it
Atorvastatin AN can be taken at any time of the day. However, your dose of Atorvastatin AN should be taken at about the same time each day. Taking one tablet daily at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take the tablet(s).
Atorvastatin AN can be taken with or without food.
How long to take it
You must take Atorvastatin AN every day. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
Atorvastatin AN helps to lower your levels of cholesterol, but it does not cure your condition. You may have to take cholesterol-lowering medicine for the rest of your life.
It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well. If you stop taking Atorvastatin AN, your cholesterol levels may rise again.
If you forget to take it
If it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally. If you are not sure what to do, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone the Australian Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or the New Zealand National Poisons Information Centre (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to the Accident and Emergency department (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Atorvastatin AN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers of these facilities handy.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
Have your liver function tested by your doctor before you start taking Atorvastatin AN and while you are taking it.
Your cholesterol, triglyceride levels and your liver function tests need to be checked regularly while you are taking this medicine. This will allow you and your doctor to see if Atorvastatin AN is helping you to reach your target levels of cholesterol and to avoid some possible side effects.
If you become pregnant while you are taking Atorvastatin AN, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Atorvastatin AN if you are about to start on any new medicine.
Things you must not do
Do not give Atorvastatin AN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use Atorvastatin AN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol. Drinking large quantities of alcohol may increase your chance of Atorvastatin AN causing liver problems.
Avoid eating or drinking large quantities of grape or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice contains one or more components that alter the metabolism of some medicines, including Atorvastatin AN.
Drinking very large quantities (over 1.2 litres) of grapefruit juice each day increases your chance of Atorvastatin AN causing side effects.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Atorvastatin AN affects you. Atorvastatin AN generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, Atorvastatin AN may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Atorvastatin AN. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness
- constipation, diarrhoea
- stomach or belly pain, nausea
- headache
- urine infection
- stuffy or runny nose
- nose bleeds
- rash
- heartburn, indigestion or wind.
These are the more common side effects, and are usually mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- yellowing of the skin and eyes and dark coloured urine
- feeling weak and tired, excessively thirsty and passing more urine
- problems with breathing, including shortness of breath, persistent cough and fever.
These are serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
- symptoms of allergy such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth throat or neck which may cause difficulty in swallowing and breathing
- chest pain
- unexpected muscle pain, tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise
- tingling in the hands or feet
- dizziness
- ringing in the ears
- pain, infection or bleeding in your nose.
These may be serious side effects requiring urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by the list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After taking Atorvastatin AN
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep Atorvastatin AN in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store Atorvastatin AN or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave your tablets in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your tablets where young children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres off the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Atorvastatin AN, or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Further information about Atorvastatin AN
This is not all the information that is available on Atorvastatin AN. If you have any more questions or are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Product description
What it looks like
- Atorvastatin AN 10mg film-coated tablets are presented as white, oval, biconvex tablets, with dimensions 10.1±0.1mm x 5.6±0.1mm and 3.7±0.2mm in thickness.
- Atorvastatin AN 20mg film-coated tablets are presented as white, oval biconvex tablets, with a breakline on one side and dimensions 12.7±0.1mm x 6.7±0.1mm and 4.6±0.2mm in thickness.
- Atorvastatin AN 40mg film-coated tablets are presented as white, oblong, biconvex tablets with dimensions 19.4±0.1mm x 7.8±0.1mm and 4.7±0.2mm in thickness.
- Atorvastatin AN 80mg film-coated tablets are presented as white, oblong, biconvex tablets with a breakline on one side and dimensions 22.8±0.1mm, 10.9±0.1mm and 5.7±0.2mm in thickness.
Atorvastatin AN comes in blister packets of 30 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient of Atorvastatin AN is atorvastatin.
The other ingredients are:
- activated – attapulgite
- microcrystalline cellulose
- lactose
- pregelatinised maize starch
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- magnesium stearate
- opadry II white LS-28908, which contains lactose, hypromellose, Macrogol 4000 and titanium dioxide
- colloidal anhydrous silica
Atorvastatin AN tablets contain lactose.
Registration Number
AUST R
Atorvastatin AN 10mg: 198846
Atorvastatin AN 20mg: 198847
Atorvastatin AN 40mg: 198848
Atorvastatin AN 80mg: 198849
Sponsor
Southern Cross Pharma Pty Ltd
56 Illabunda Drive
Malua Bay NSW 2536
ABN 47 094 447 677
Date of preparation
18 December 2013
Published by MIMS November 2014
