Prescription Drug Information: Atorvastatin Calcium

ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM- atorvastatin calcium trihydrate tablet, film coated
REMEDYREPACK INC.

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Atorvastatin calcium tablets are indicated:

  • To reduce the risk of:
  • Myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, revascularization procedures, and angina in adults with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) but without clinically evident CHD
  • MI and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with multiple risk factors for CHD but without clinically evident CHD
  • Non-fatal MI, fatal and non-fatal stroke, revascularization procedures, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, and angina in adults with clinically evident CHD
  • As an adjunct to diet to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in:
  • Adults with primary hyperlipidemia.
  • Adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).
  • As an adjunct to other LDL-C-lowering therapies, or alone if such treatments are unavailable, to reduce LDL-C in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).
  • As an adjunct to diet for the treatment of adults with:
  • Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia
  • Hypertriglyceridemia

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Important Dosage Information

  • Take atorvastatin calcium tablets orally once daily at any time of the day, with or without food.
  • Assess LDL-C when clinically appropriate, as early as 4 weeks after initiating atorvastatin calcium tablets, and adjust the dosage if necessary.

2.2 Recommended Dosage in Adult Patients

The recommended starting dosage of atorvastatin calcium tablets is 10 mg to 20 mg once daily. The dosage range is 10 mg to 80 mg once daily. Patients who require reduction in LDL-C greater than 45% may be started at 40 mg once daily.

2.3 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients 10 Years of Age and Older with HeFH

The recommended starting dosage of atorvastatin calcium tablets is 10 mg once daily. The dosage range is 10 mg to 20 mg once daily.

2.4 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients 10 Years of Age and Older with HoFH

The recommended starting dosage of atorvastatin calcium tablets is 10 mg to 20 mg once daily. The dosage range is 10 mg to 80 mg once daily.

2.5 Dosage Modifications Due to Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of atorvastatin calcium tablets with the following drugs requires dosage modification of atorvastatin calcium tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Anti-Viral Medications

In patients taking saquinavir plus ritonavir, darunavir plus ritonavir, fosamprenavir, fosamprenavir plus ritonavir, elbasvir plus grazoprevir or letermovir, do not exceed atorvastatin calcium tablet 20 mg once daily.

In patients taking nelfinavir, do not exceed atorvastatin calcium tablet 40 mg once daily.

Select Azole Antifungals or Macrolide Antibiotics

In patients taking clarithromycin or itraconazole, do not exceed atorvastatin calcium tablet 20 mg once daily.

For additional recommendations regarding concomitant use of atorvastatin calcium tablets with other anti-viral medications, azole antifungals or macrolide antibiotics, see Drug Interactions (7.1).

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Atorvastatin calcium tablets:

  • 20 mg of atorvastatin: white, elliptical, film-coated tablets, debossed with ‘ RX 828 ’ on one side and plain on the other side

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
  • Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any excipients in atorvastatin calcium tablets. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis

Atorvastatin calcium may cause myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness associated with elevated creatine kinase [CK]) and rhabdomyolysis. Acute kidney injury secondary to myoglobinuria and rare fatalities have occurred as a result of rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins, including atorvastatin calcium.

Risk Factors for Myopathy

Risk factors for myopathy include age 65 years or greater, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, renal impairment, concomitant use with certain other drugs (including other lipid-lowering therapies), and higher atorvastatin calcium dosage [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.5, 8.6)].

Steps to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis

Atorvastatin calcium exposure may be increased by drug interactions due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4) and/or transporters (e.g., breast cancer resistant protein [BCRP], organic anion-transporting polypeptide [OATP1B1/OATP1B3] and P-glycoprotein [P-gp]), resulting in an increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Concomitant use of cyclosporine, gemfibrozil, tipranavir plus ritonavir, or glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir with atorvastatin calcium is not recommended. Atorvastatin calcium dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking certain anti-viral, azole antifungals, or macrolide antibiotic medications [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)]. Cases of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis have been reported with atorvastatin co-administered with lipid modifying doses (> 1 gram/day) of niacin, fibrates, colchicine, and ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir. Consider if the benefit of use of these products outweighs the increased risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis [see Drug Interaction s (7.1)].

Concomitant intake of large quantities, more than 1.2 liters daily, of grapefruit juice is not recommended in patients taking atorvastatin calcium [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

Discontinue atorvastatin calcium if markedly elevated CK levels occur or if myopathy is either diagnosed or suspected. Muscle symptoms and CK elevations may resolve if atorvastatin calcium is discontinued. Temporarily discontinue atorvastatin calcium in patients experiencing an acute or serious condition at high risk of developing renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis (e.g., sepsis; shock; severe hypovolemia; major surgery; trauma; severe metabolic, endocrine, or electrolyte disorders; or uncontrolled epilepsy).

Inform patients of the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis when starting or increasing the atorvastatin dosage. Instruct patients to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by malaise or fever.

5.2 Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy

There have been rare reports of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune myopathy, associated with statin use, including reports of recurrence when the same or a different statin was administered. IMNM is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase that persists despite discontinuation of statin treatment; positive anti-HMG CoA reductase antibody; muscle biopsy showing necrotizing myopathy; and improvement with immunosuppressive agents. Additional neuromuscular and serologic testing may be necessary. Treatment with immunosuppressive agents may be required. Discontinue atorvastatin calcium if IMNM is suspected.

5.3 Hepatic Dysfunction

Increases in serum transaminases have been reported with use of atorvastatin calcium [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In most cases, these changes appeared soon after initiation, were transient, were not accompanied by symptoms, and resolved or improved on continued therapy or after a brief interruption in therapy. Persistent increases to more than three times the ULN in serum transaminases have occurred in approximately 0.7% of patients receiving atorvastatin calcium in clinical trials. There have been rare postmarketing reports of fatal and non-fatal hepatic failure in patients taking statins, including atorvastatin calcium.

Patients who consume substantial quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver disease may be at increased risk for hepatic injury [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)].

Consider liver enzyme testing before atorvastatin calcium initiation and when clinically indicated thereafter. Atorvastatin calcium is contraindicated in patients with acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see Contraindications (4)]. If serious hepatic injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs, promptly discontinue atorvastatin calcium tablets.

Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with statins, including atorvastatin calcium. Optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices.

In a post-hoc analysis of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial where 2365 adult patients, without CHD who had a stroke or TIA within the preceding 6 months, were treated with atorvastatin calcium 80 mg, a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke was seen in the atorvastatin calcium 80 mg group compared to placebo (55, 2.3% atorvastatin calcium vs. 33, 1.4% placebo; HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.59; p=0.0168). The incidence of fatal hemorrhagic stroke was similar across treatment groups (17 vs. 18 for the atorvastatin and placebo groups, respectively). The incidence of non-fatal hemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher in the atorvastatin calcium group (38, 1.6%) as compared to the placebo group (16, 0.7%). Some baseline characteristics, including hemorrhagic and lacunar stroke on study entry, were associated with a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke in the atorvastatin calcium group [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Consider the risk/benefit of use of atorvastatin calcium 80 mg in patients with recent hemorrhagic stroke.

5.4 Increases in HbA1c and Fasting Serum Glucose Levels

Increases in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose levels have been reported with statins, including atorvastatin calcium. Optimize lifestyle measures, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and making healthy food choices.

5.5 Increased Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke in Patients on Atorvastatin Calcium 80 mg with Recent Hemorrhagic Stroke

In a post-hoc analysis of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial where 2365 adult patients, without CHD who had a stroke or TIA within the preceding 6 months, were treated with atorvastatin calcium 80 mg, a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke was seen in the atorvastatin calcium 80 mg group compared to placebo (55, 2.3% atorvastatin calcium vs. 33, 1.4% placebo; HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.59; p = 0.0168). The incidence of fatal hemorrhagic stroke was similar across treatment groups (17 vs. 18 for the atorvastatin and placebo groups, respectively). The incidence of non-fatal hemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher in the atorvastatin calcium group (38, 1.6%) as compared to the placebo group (16, 0.7%). Some baseline characteristics, including hemorrhagic and lacunar stroke on study entry, were associated with a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke in the atorvastatin calcium group [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Consider the risk/benefit of use of atorvastatin calcium 80 mg in patients with recent hemorrhagic stroke.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:

  • Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
  • Hepatic Dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
  • Increases in HbA1c and Fasting Serum Glucose Levels [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]

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