Other name: Zarator

 

Atorvastatin calcium (trihydrate)

The active ingredient is atorvastatin. Each tablet contains 10 mg of atorvastatin (like calcium trihydrate). 

The other ingredients are: calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, polysorbate 80, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate and candelilla wax. 

The coating contains: opadry white YS-1-7040 (hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide (E171) and talc) and simethicone emulsion (USP) (simethicone, stearate emulsifiers and sorbic acid).

 

Zarator - Lipitor belongs to a group of medicines which reduces the levels of cholesterol (lipid-lowering agents or antiatheromatosis). It is used to lower fats like cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood when a low fat diet and other non pharmacological measures have been inadequate in patients with conditions such as hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), combined hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and triglyceride levels), heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (genetically determined cholesterol levels), homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (genetically determined cholesterol levels)

 

- If you are allergic to atorvastatine or any of the ingredients of Zarator. 

- If you have active liver disease or elevations of serum transaminases. 

- If you have generalized muscular pains (myopathy).

-  If you are pregnant. 

- If you are breastfeeding. 

- If you are a woman of child bearing potential not using adequate contraceptive measures.

Take special care with Lipitor

 

 - If you have or have had a disease which affects the liver. 

- If you experience generalized muscular aches while you take this medication. Your doctor will inform you when you need to carry out a blood test.

 

Avoid drinking alcohol in excess. It may be taken with or without food.

 

 

You should not take Zarator (Atorvastatin, Lipemol, Pravastatin) during pregnancy unless recommended by your doctor. Women of childbearing potential should use appropriate contraceptive measures. Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant whilst on treatment.

 

Do not take Lipitor if you are breastfeeding.

 

The efficacy and safety of Zarator in patients over 70 using the recommended dose is similar to those seen in the general population.

 

The therapeutic experience of Lipitor in children is very limited.

 

There is no evidence suggesting that patients taking Zarator (Lipitor, Atorvastatin) will have any impairment of the ability to drive and use machinery.

 

 

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently been taking any other medications either prescription or over the counter medication.

 

There are some medicines that may interact with Zarator (Atorvastatin, Lipemol, Pravastatin) when taken at the same time increasing the risk of rhabdomyolysis (illness which manifests muscular pain or muscular weakness sometimes accompanied by fever and discomfort).  

 

These are: Cyclosporin (medicines used to modulate immune response), Fibric acid derivatives (medicines used to reduce cholesterol levels), Nicotinic acid derivatives (medicines used to reduce cholesterol levels), Macrolide antibiotics (antibiotics used to treat infections) and Azole antifungal medicines (medicines used to treat fungal infections)

 

Lipitor may interact when combined with the following drugs resulting in the change of plasma concentrations of either drug: Antibiotics (like Erythromycin and Clarithromycin), Antacid (medication used to reduce the level of acid in the stomach), Digoxin (medication to treat heart problems), Colestipol (another agent which reduces cholesterol levels), Warfarin (medication which reduces the coagulation of the blood), Phenazone (medication used to treat pain and fever), Cimetidine (medication for stomach or duodenal ulcers) or Oral Contraception.

 

 

Follow the instructions recommended by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Remember to take your medication. You doctor will inform you of the duration of the treatment. Do not cease the treatment on your own even if you notice an improvement. The dosage must be established by the doctor depending on each individual's needs. Your doctor should recommend a standard cholesterol lowering diet before receiving Lipitor and you should continue on this diet during treatment. The usual starting dose is 10 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase this if necessary until you are taking exactly the amount you need. Your doctor can prescribe doses of up to 80 mg per day for you. Zarator tablets should be swallowed and can be taken once at any time of day with or without food.

 

If you take more Zarator (Atorvastatin, Lipemol, Pravastatin) than you should inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If overdose or accidental ingestion is suspected contact your local poison control centre.

If you miss a dose of Lipitor Do not double-up the dose to catch up.

 

Like all medications, Zarator (Atorvastatin, Lipemol, Pravastatin) may have side effects. Zarator is generally well tolerated and adverse reactions are usually mild and transient. 

 

The most frequent adverse effects (1% or more) associated with atorvastatin therapy are: constipation, flatulence, indigestion (dyspepsia), abdominal pain, headache (cephalalgia), nausea, muscle pain (myalgia), weakness (asthenia), diarrhea and insomnia. Like in other medicines from this therapeutic group, increases in hepatic enzymes (transaminases) have been seen in some patients taking Zarator. These changes were generally mild and transient and discontinuation of treatment was not necessary. Elevations in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels occurred in some patients on Zarator. 

 

Other less common side effects have been seen in some patients taking Zarator (Lipitor) including: muscle inflammation (myositis), muscle cramps, weakness or tenderness (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes (paraesthesia), non inflammatory illnesses related to the nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), liver inflammation (hepatitis), jaundice, anorexia, vomiting, hair loss (alopecia), pruritus, rash, impotence, increase or decrease in blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia), low blood platelet count (thrombocytopaenia), allergic reactions, (inluding angioneurotic oedema), joint pain (arthralgia) and blistering skin rash. 

 

You should tell your doctor immediately if any of these side effects persist or become bothersome. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you experience other symptoms not mentioned in this leaflet.

 

Keep Zarator (Atorvastatin, Lipemol, Pravastatin) out of the reach and sight of children. No special conditions are required for its storage. Do not use this medication after the expiry date on the package.