Avas Tablets (Atorvastatin)

• Composition :
  Each tablet contains Atorvastatin 5 mg/10 mg/20 mg/40 mg/80 mg.
• Indications :
  As an adjunct diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (type IIa & IIb).
• Pharmacodynamics :
  Avas is a selective, competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of sterols, including cholesterol. Cholesterol and triglycerides circulate in the bloodstream as part of lipoprotein complexes. With ultracentrifugation, these complexes separate into HDL (high-density lipoprotein), IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) fractions.
• Dosage and administration :
  Recommended start dose: 10 or 20 mg once daily. Patients requiring large LDL-C reduction (>45%) may start at 40 mg once daily.
• Contraindications :
  Active liver disease, Hypersensitivity to any component of this medication, Pregnancy, Lactation.
• Precautions and warnings :
  Skeletal muscle effects (e.g., myopathy and rhabdomyolysis) , Persistent elevations in hepatic transaminases can occur.
• Use in pregnancy, lactation & pediatrics :
  Contraindicated in Lactation and Pregnancy. The long-term efficacy of atrovastatin in pediatric population less than 10 years is not established.
• Drug interactions :
  Digoxin: Patients should be monitored appropriately. Cyclosporine: Do not exceed 10 mg atorvastatin daily. Clarithromycin, itraconazole, HIV protease inhibitors: Caution when exceeding doses > 20 mg atorvastatin daily. Oral Contraceptives: Values for norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol may be increased. Rifampin should not be simultaneously co-administered with Atorvastatin.
• Adverse reactions :
  The most common adverse events are nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, diarrhea, pain in extremity, and urinary tract infection.
• Therapy Area :
  Lipid Lowering agents