ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM- atorvastatin calcium trihydrate tablet, film coated
Coupler Enterprises

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 tablets 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 tablets are 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 tablets are indicated to:

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

In adult patients with clinically evident coronary heart disease, atorvastatin calcium tablets are 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 tablets are 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
    • two or more other CVD risk factors are present in the pediatric patient

1.3 Limitations of Use

Atorvastatin calcium tablets have 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 tablets 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 homozygous 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), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

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

In patients taking cyclosporine or the HIV protease inhibitors (tipranavir plus ritonavir) or the hepatitis C protease inhibitor (telaprevir), therapy with atorvastatin calcium tablets should be avoided. In patients with HIV taking lopinavir plus ritonavir, caution should be used when prescribing atorvastatin calcium tablets and the lowest dose necessary employed. In patients taking clarithromycin, itraconazole, or in patients with HIV taking a combination of saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, or fosamprenavir plus ritonavir, 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 is employed. In patients taking the HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir or the hepatitis C protease inhibitor boceprevir, therapy with atorvastatin calcium tablets should be limited to 40 mg, and appropriate clinical assessment is recommended to ensure that the lowest dose necessary of atorvastatin calcium tablets is employed [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7) ].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Atorvastatin calcium tablets are yellow, oval shape, biconvex, 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

“SG” on one side and “152” on the other

20 mg of atorvastatin “SG” on one side and “153” on the other

40 mg of atorvastatin

“SG” on one side and “154” on the other

80 mg of atorvastatin “SG” on one side and “155” on the other

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