Pregnancy Interaction

• Not safe at all during pregnancy.
• Atorvastatin may affect the synthesis of lipids in the fetus, which could lead to birth defects.
• Stop taking the drug right away if you get pregnant and call your doctor.
• Women who can get pregnant must take birth control that works.
• Not advised when breastfeeding because statins can get into breast milk.

Faq For Medicine

Q1. What is the purpose of Atchol 40 mg?
It decreases triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL).

Q2. When is the best time to take it?
Usually taken once a day, at night if possible, but in the morning if indicated is also fine.

Q3. How long does it take to work?
In two weeks, your lipids will start to get better, and in four to six weeks, they will be fully better.

Q4. Can it hurt your muscles?
Yes, muscle soreness or weakening can happen, but it's unusual and crucial to keep an eye on.

Q5. Can I drink while taking Atchol?
Cut back on booze. Drinking a lot of alcohol raises the risk of liver damage.

Q6. Do I need to get my blood tested?
Yes, you need to have a lipid profile and a liver function test (LFT) every so often.

Q7. Will I have to take it for the rest of my life?
Yes, a lot of the time, especially for people at risk of heart disease. If you stop suddenly, your cholesterol may go back up.

Expert Advice

• Don't use it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Take it every day at the same time.
• Tell your doctor if you have unusual muscle pain, black urine, or extreme tiredness, as these could be signs of a rare muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis.
• Stay away from grapefruit juice because it raises atorvastatin levels.
• For the best outcomes, keep your weight down, eat a low-fat diet, and exercise often.
• You should restrict alcohol because it can harm your liver.
• Check your lipid profile every three months at first.

Side Effects

• A lot:
• Pain or spasms in the muscles
• A headache
• Stomach pain
• Feeling sick
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Not as Common:
• Problems with sleep
• Pain in the joints
• High levels of liver enzymes
• Serious (rare):
• Rhabdomyolysis (extreme muscular breakdown)
• Damage to the liver
• A very bad allergic reaction
• If you have muscle pain that won't go away, black urine, jaundice, or extreme tiredness, get medical help right once.

 How it works

• Statin (Atorvastatin):
• Stops the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which lowers cholesterol production in the liver.
• Increases LDL receptors, which makes it easier to get rid of LDL (bad cholesterol) from the blood.
• Lowers triglycerides and raises HDL (good cholesterol) a little.
• The overall effect:
• Stops plaque from building up in arteries, which lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Medicine Interaction

• Use with care with:
• Antifungals (such as Itraconazole and Ketoconazole)
• Higher atorvastatin levels mean a higher risk of muscle toxicity.
• ➤ Antibiotics (Clarithromycin, Erythromycin)
• Raise the chance of adverse effects.
• ➤ HIV drugs
• May raise the level of atorvastatin.
• ➤ Warfarin is a blood thinner.
• Keep a tight eye on INR.
• ➤ Other drugs that lower cholesterol (Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate)
• Increased chance of muscle damage.
• ➤ Juice from grapefruit
• Don't do that; it elevates atorvastatin levels.
• ➤ Alcohol
• Raises the risk of liver damage.

 How to Use

• Take once a day, with or without food.
• It is best to take it at night when cholesterol synthesis is highest.
• Drink water and swallow entire.
• If you forget to take a dose:
• - Take as soon as you recall
• – Skip if the next dose is coming up soon
• - Don't take two doses

Uses / Indications

• High LDL cholesterol
• A lot of triglycerides
• Dyslipidemia that is mixed
• Lowering the risk of heart disease in people who are at high risk
• Avoiding heart attacks and strokes
• Managing cholesterol levels in people with diabetes