Atorvastatin Calcium

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM- atorvastatin calcium trihydrate tablet, film coated
Northwind Pharmaceuticals

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Drug therapy is recommended as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate. In patients with CHD or multiple risk factors for CHD, atorvastatin calcium can be started simultaneously with diet.

1.1 Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults

In adult patients without clinically evident coronary heart disease, but with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease such as age, smoking, hypertension, low HDL-C, or a family history of early coronary heart disease, atorvastatin calcium is indicated to:

• Reduce the risk of myocardial infarction
• Reduce the risk of stroke
• Reduce the risk for revascularization procedures and angina

In adult patients with type 2 diabetes, and without clinically evident coronary heart disease, but with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease such as retinopathy, albuminuria, smoking, or hypertension, atorvastatin calcium is indicated to:

• Reduce the risk of myocardial infarction
• Reduce the risk of stroke

In adult patients with clinically evident coronary heart disease, atorvastatin calcium is indicated to:

• Reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction
• Reduce the risk of fatal and non-fatal stroke
• Reduce the risk for revascularization procedures
• Reduce the risk of hospitalization for CHF
• Reduce the risk of angina

1.2 Hyperlipidemia

Atorvastatin calcium is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, apo B, and TG levels and to increase HDL-C in adult patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb);
• As an adjunct to diet for the treatment of adult patients with elevated serum TG levels (Fredrickson Type IV);
• For the treatment of adult patients with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Fredrickson Type III) who do not respond adequately to diet;
• To reduce total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable;
• As an adjunct to diet to reduce total-C, LDL-C, and apo B levels in pediatric patients, 10 years to 17 years of age, with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) if after an adequate trial of diet therapy the following findings are present:

  a. LDL-C remains ≥ 190 mg/dL or

  b. LDL-C remains ≥ 160 mg/dL and:

  • there is a positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease or

1.3 Limitations of Use

Atorvastatin calcium has not been studied in conditions where the major lipoprotein abnormality is elevation of chylomicrons (Fredrickson Types I and V).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia

The recommended starting dose of atorvastatin calcium tablets is 10 or 20 mg once daily. Patients who require a large reduction in LDL-C (more than 45%) may be started at 40 mg once daily. The dosage range of atorvastatin calcium tablets is 10 to 80 mg once daily. Atorvastatin calcium tablets can be administered as a single dose at any time of the day, with or without food. The starting dose and maintenance doses of atorvastatin calcium tablets should be individualized according to patient characteristics such as goal of therapy and response. After initiation and/or upon titration of atorvastatin calcium tablets, lipid levels should be analyzed within 2 to 4 weeks and dosage adjusted accordingly.

2.2 Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Pediatric Patients (10 Years to 17 Years of Age)

The recommended starting dose of atorvastatin calcium is 10 mg/day; the usual dose range is 10 to 20 mg orally once daily [ see Clinical Studies (14.6) ]. Doses should be individualized according to the recommended goal of therapy [ see Indications and Usage (1.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12) ]. Adjustments should be made at intervals of 4 weeks or more.

2.3 Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

The dosage of atorvastatin calcium tablets in patients with HoFH is 10 to 80 mg daily. Atorvastatin calcium tablets should be used as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) in these patients or if such treatments are unavailable.

2.4 Concomitant Lipid-Lowering Therapy

Atorvastatin calcium tablets may be used with bile acid resins. The combination of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and fibrates should generally be used with caution [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1) and Drug Interactions( 7)].

2.5 Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment

Renal disease does not affect the plasma concentrations nor LDL-C reduction of atorvastatin calcium tablets; thus, dosage adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction is not necessary [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.6 Dosage in Patients Taking Cyclosporine, Clarithromycin, Itraconazole, Letermovir, or Certain Protease Inhibitors

In patients taking cyclosporine or the HIV protease inhibitor tipranavir plus ritonavir or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir or letermovir when co-administered with cyclosporine, therapy with atorvastatin calcium tablets should be avoided. In patients with HIV taking lopinavir plus ritonavir, use the lowest dose necessary of atorvastatin calcium tablets. In patients taking clarithromycin, itraconazole, elbasvir plus grazoprevir, or in patients with HIV taking a combination of saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir plus ritonavir or letermovir therapy with atorvastatin calcium tablets should be limited to 20 mg, and appropriate clinical assessment is recommended to ensure that the lowest dose necessary of atorvastatin calcium tablets is used. In patients taking the HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir therapy with atorvastatin calcium tablets should be limited to 40 mg [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets, USP are white elliptical, film-coated, and are available in four strengths (see Table 1). Table 1: Atorvastatin Calcium Tablet Strengths and Identifying Features

Tablet Strength	Identifying Features
10 mg of atorvastatin	“10” on one side and “ATS” on other side.
20 mg of atorvastatin	“20” on one side and “ATS” on other side.
40 mg of atorvastatin	“40” on one side and “ATS” on other side.
80 mg of atorvastatin	“80” on one side and “ATS” on other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Active Liver Disease, Which May Include Unexplained Persistent Elevations in Hepatic Transaminase Levels
• Hypersensitivity to Any Component of This Medication
• Pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].
• Lactation [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis

Atorvastatin calcium may cause myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with creatine kinase (CK) above ten times the upper limit of normal) and rhabdomyolysis (with or without acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria). Rare fatalities have occurred as a result of rhabdomyolysis with statin use, including atorvastatin calcium.

Risk Factors for Myopathy Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs, and higher atorvastatin calcium dosage [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Steps to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis atorvastatin calcium exposure may be increased by drug interactions due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) and/or transporters (e.g., breast cancer resistant protein [BCRP], organic anion-transporting polypeptide [OATP1B1/OATP1B3] and P-glycoprotein [P-gp]), resulting in an increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Concomitant use of cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, tipranavir plus ritonavir, or glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir with atorvastatin calcium is not recommended. Atorvastatin calcium dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking certain anti-viral, azole antifungals, or macrolide antibiotic medications [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been reported with atorvastatin coadministered with lipid modifying doses (>1 gram/day) of niacin, fibrates, colchicine, and ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir. Consider if the benefit of use of these products outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis [see Drug Interaction s (7.1)].

Concomitant intake of large quantities, more than 1.2 liters daily, of grapefruit juice is not recommended in patients taking atorvastatin calcium [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Discontinue atorvastatin calcium if markedly elevated CK levels occur or myopathy is diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK increases may resolve if atorvastatin calcium is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue atorvastatin calcium in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis (e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy).

Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the atorvastatin calcium dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.