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The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 17780/0771.
Atorvastatin Crystalline 10mg 20mg 40mg and 80mg film-coated Tablets
Atorvastatin 10 mg film-coated tablets
Atorvastatin 20 mg film-coated tablets
Atorvastatin 40 mg film-coated tablets
Atorvastatin 80 mg film-coated tablets
1. What atorvastatin is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take atorvastatin
3. How to take atorvastatin
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store atorvastatin
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins, which are lipid (fat) regulating medicines.
Atorvastatin is used to lower lipids known as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low fat diet and lifestyle changes on their own have failed. If you are at an increased risk of heart disease, atorvastatin can also be used to reduce such risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal. You should maintain a standard cholesterol lowering diet during treatment.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking atorvastatin:
If any of these apply to you, your doctor will need to carry out a blood test before and possibly during your atorvastatin treatment to predict your risk of muscle related side effects. The risk of muscle related side effects e.g. rhabdomyolysis is known to increase when certain medicines are taken at the same time (see section 2 “Other medicines and atorvastatin”).
Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a muscle weakness that is constant. Additional tests and medicines may be needed to diagnose and treat this.
While you are on this medicine your doctor will monitor you closely if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes. You are likely to be at risk of developing diabetes if you have high levels of sugars and fats in your blood, are overweight and have high blood pressure.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
There are some medicines that may change the effect of atorvastatin or their effect may be changed by atorvastatin. This type of interaction could make one or both of the medicines less effective. Alternatively it could increase the risk or severity of side-effects, including the important muscle wasting condition known as rhabdomyolysis described in section 4:
See section 3 for instructions on how to take atorvastatin. Please note the following:
Grapefruit juice
Do not take more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice per day because large quantities of grapefruit juice can change the effects of atorvastatin.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking too much alcohol while taking this medicine. See section 2 “Warnings and precautions” for details.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Do not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or if you are trying to become pregnant.
Do not take atorvastatin if you are able to become pregnant unless you use reliable contraceptive measures.
Do not take atorvastatin if you are breast-feeding.
The safety of atorvastatin during pregnancy and breast-feeding has not yet been proven.
Normally this medicine does not affect your ability to drive or operate machines. However, do not drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive. Do not use any tools or machines if your ability to use them is affected by this medicine.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Before starting treatment, your doctor will place you on a low-cholesterol diet, which you should maintain also during therapy with atorvastatin.
The usual starting dose of atorvastatin is 10 mg once a day in adults and children aged 10 years or older. This may be increased if necessary by your doctor until you are taking the amount you need. Your doctor will adapt the dose at intervals of 4 weeks or more. The maximum dose of atorvastatin is 80 mg once a day.
Atorvastatin tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water, and can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
However, try to take your tablet at the same time every day.
The duration of treatment with atorvastatin is determined by your doctor.
Please ask your doctor if you think that the effect of atorvastatin is too strong or too weak.
If you accidentally take too many atorvastatin tablets (more than your usual daily dose), contact your doctor or nearest hospital for advice.
If you forget to take a dose, just take your next scheduled dose at the correct time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine or wish to stop your treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Talk to your doctor if you experience weakness in your arms or legs that worsens after periods of activity, double vision or drooping of your eyelids, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Possible side effects reported with some statins (medicines of the same type):
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search the MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the outer packaging after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use this medicine if you notice visible signs of deterioration.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is atorvastatin.
Each 10 mg film-coated tablet contains 10 mg atorvastatin (as atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).
Each 20 mg film-coated tablet contains 20 mg atorvastatin (as atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).
Each 40 mg film-coated tablet contains 40 mg atorvastatin (as atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).
Each 80 mg film-coated tablet contains 80 mg atorvastatin (as atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).
The other ingredients are:
Core: calcium carbonate, cellulose, microcrystalline (E 460), lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, povidone K12, silica, colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate (E 572).
Coating: hypromellose (E 464), macrogol 6000, titanium dioxide (E 171), talc, iron oxide yellow (E 172), lactose monohydrate.
Atorvastatin 10 mg film-coated tablets are white to off white, film-coated, round, biconvex tablets. Diameter of the tablet is approx. 6mm.
Atorvastatin 20 mg film-coated tablets are yellowish, film-coated, round, biconvex tablets. Diameter of the tablet is approx. 8mm.
Atorvastatin 40 mg film-coated tablets are orange-yellow to yellow-orange, film-coated, round, biconvex tablets. Diameter of the tablet is approx. 10mm.
Atorvastatin 80 mg film-coated tablets are yellow-orange film-coated round, biconvex tablets. Diameter of the tablet is approx. 12mm.
Pack sizes:
10 mg: 10, 14, 15, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 or 200 film-coated tablets
20 mg: 10, 14, 15, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 or 200 film-coated tablets
40 mg: 7, 10, 14, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 or 200 film-coated tablets
80 mg: 7, 10, 14, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 90, 98, 100 or 200 film-coated tablets
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
This leaflet was last updated in September 2024
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