"Atorvastatin": reviews, analogues, composition and instructions for use

The most common drug designed to reduce the levels of total cholesterol and LDL is "Atorvastatin." The patients' opinions about it are ambiguous, although the quality of the drug is confirmed by clinical studies. In this case, the medicine has only one full competitor - "Rosuvastatin" (and its generics). Therefore, it is obvious that patient reviews can not give objective information about the drug "Atorvastatin". Hence, to evaluate its effects, a detailed analysis of the mechanism of action and the provisions of the attached instructions for use is required.

Systemic characteristic of drug substance

Atorvastatin belongs to the pharmacological class of statins of the third generation. By inhibiting the enzymes responsible for the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, the amount of the atherogenic fraction of lipoproteins decreases. Low-density fractions (LDL) can enhance the deposition of cholesterol and cause immune reactions in the endothelium, which causes the development of a plaque.

Like other statins, atorvastatin significantly reduces the amount of LDL, and therefore significantly slows the growth of plaque. At the same time, there is no tendency to involution, and the diameter of the coronary artery (or any other affected by atherosclerosis) remains the same. Clinical effect - slowing the development of IHD, cerebrovascular or chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities.

Atorvastatin: indications for use

Before you start taking it is necessary to determine the indications for the use of the drug. They flow from the main mechanism of its action and are associated with a hypocholesterolemic effect. Range of indications:

• Hereditary (family) heterozygous hypercholesterolemia;
• Polygenic (primary) hypercholesterolemia of class IIa according to Fredrickson;
• Combined (IIb) dyslipidemia;
• Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia;
• Hypertriglyceridemia (treatment with statin in combination with diet and exercise);
• Conditions associated with atherosclerotic lesions of the vascular wall of the heart, brain, kidneys, limbs;
• Arterial hypertension with high cardiovascular risk;
• Prevention of an acute coronary event against the background of an existing atherosclerotic lesion of the coronary arteries;
• Prevention of repeated myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke.

These indications determine the cases when the administration of the drug "Atorvastatin" is required. The doctors' comments on its application unequivocally confirm this need. The proven fact is that statins, including Atorvastatin with its many generics, are much safer than acetylsalicylic acid cardioforms, although they also help to significantly reduce the likelihood of the development of the first myocardial infarction and a repeated case.

Drug analogues

All the tablets "Atorvastatin", reviews about which you can read below, are produced by various pharmacological companies. Most often, the names of drugs are modified, which allows them to be patented. Trade names of analogues, that is, preparations that contain atorvastatin as an active ingredient, are the following: "Anistat" and "Atokor", "Atomas" and "Ator", "Atorvox" and "Atoris", "Vazotor" and "Lipoford" Liprimar and Liptonorm, Novostat and Torvazin, Torvakard and Tulip.

Also, some manufacturers produce their own drug "Atorvastatin" (reviews can be read below) under the same trade name. Aktavis, Vertex, Izvarino Pharma, ALSI Pharma, Canon Pharma, Obolensen pharmaceutical company, Protek-SVM, Severnaya Zvezda, TABUK Pharmaceuticals, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries and others produce the drug, the name Which consists of the INN ("Atorvastatin") and the traditional prefix. An example is "Atorvastatin Teva", which is confirmed by its clinical effectiveness.

Composition

Attached to the drug "Atorvastatin" instructions for use, reviews and clinical recommendations do not contain information about the differences in dosage forms. In practice, such differences exist, and they regulate the dynamics of the therapeutic effect. What is important is how quickly the therapeutic effect of the dose is achieved. That is why the dosage form of the original drug "Liprimar" is the reference.

The dosage form consists of atorvastatin calcium and a tablet coating. The latter, in turn, consists of calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, polysorbate 80, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylcellulose, talc, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, simethicone emulsion, benzoic and sorbic acid.

Attached to the original drug "Atorvastatin" instructions for use (reviews also indicate this) does not contain information on the mass of each component. This is a commercial secret of the American company PFIZER HCP CORPORATION. It is this composition of the Liprimar dosage form that makes it possible to achieve a constant concentration of atorvastatin in the blood.

Combined forms of "Atorvastatin"

At the drug "Atorvastatin" the price (patients' reviews confirm this) remains available to a wide range of patients. This is a relatively safe drug that can be combined with other classes of drugs. Most often, "Atorvastatin" and other statins are produced in isolation, that is, in one tablet only one active substance. However, there are also combined forms.

Examples are the following drugs: "Kaduet", "Duplexer", "Statinam." Here, "Atorvastatin" is combined with amlodipine, a blocker of calcium channels, which is also often used in the treatment of cardiac pathologies. The dosage of such a drug is selected by a doctor.

Standard dosages of "Atorvastatin"

The drug "Atorvastatin", indications for use, reviews and recommendations on the clinical use of which we consider in our review, is available in three standard dosages: 10, 40 and 20 mg. The combined preparation "Kaduet" contains 10 mg of atorvastatin and 5 amlodipine. "Statins" is available in two forms: 10/5 and 10 / 10mg. The Duplexer preparation has 4 doses of atorvastatin and amlodipine: 10/5, 10/10, 20/5, 20/10 mg. This makes it possible to reduce the number of tablets taken to patients who must use both statins and calcium antagonists for the treatment of diseases. This also reduces the cost of treatment.

Choice of analogues of "Atorvastatin"

The first means containing atorvastatin, which was on sale, is "Lipimar". This is the original medicine with which all tests were performed. Later, other preparations appeared under other names. For their registration, only a formal confirmation of bioequivalence to Liprimaru was required. At the moment, this can boast of a few manufacturers. Therefore, receiving from the doctor a prescription for the analogues available at the drug "Atorvastatin", reviews about them should be studied carefully.

Often, the doctor recommends that the drug, which has proved its bioequivalence to "Liprimaru" and really has the effect described in the attached instructions. The cost of Liprimar is affordable, which does not complicate its purchase for treatment. However, it is not assigned to patients with existing benefits due to disability for a common disease. At the same time, those drugs that can be prescribed concessionally are controlled by the Center for Expertise and Testing in Medicine. Their effectiveness is also proven.

Patients' comments about Atorvastatin

About the drug "Atorvastatin" review of any patient can not be competent, because without evaluation of the lipidogram there is no possibility to judge the effect of the drug. Therefore, in order to be convinced of the effectiveness, it is necessary to analyze the changes in lipid fractions. At the same time, any "Atorvastatin", which is widely reported, contains information on adverse reactions. Allergic effects are most frequent. The toxicity of the drug is low and often invisible. However, in any case, with the appearance of cytolysis syndrome and with a threefold increase in transaminases, a drug withdrawal is required.

Patients report that toxic effects are rare. For this reason, many patients advise the drug for acquaintances or relatives, although the appointment requires consultation of the therapist, assessment of risk factors and determination of blood lipid fractions. In addition, many give the drug non-existent properties, for example, that it can reduce body weight.

But we need to look more closely at the reviews available regarding the drug "Atorvastatin". For weight loss, it is not suitable, but can only be prescribed together with the loads and diet. The joint use of "Atorvastatin" and other lipid-lowering drugs, as is often recommended by persons without medical education, leads to rhabdomyolysis and toxic liver damage.

Reviews of doctors about the drug

About the drug "Atorvastatin" the doctor's opinion is more important than the patient's opinion. The same applies to other drugs. In general, all theses of the experts' reviews characterize the safety of the drug and its effectiveness. It reduces total cholesterol and LDL, while increasing HDL. This is extremely important, because it allows you to control the growth of atherosclerotic plaque and delay the development of myocardial infarction.

The dynamics of hypocholesterolemic effect in the drug "Atorvastatin" (a review of almost every doctor confirms this) is very indicative. Normalization of the lipid profile of blood serum is achieved after 1.5-2 months. In "Rosuvastatin" this is achieved in 30-50 days. However, so far, "Atorvastatin" has more clinical studies, confirming its effectiveness and safety. In general, these are two good drugs, each of which can be used to treat hypercholesterolemia and prevent heart disease.

Cost of drugs

At the drug "Atorvastatin" price (reviews of many of this vydeliyut) different depending on the manufacturer. The most expensive is "Lipimar" - the original drug. The cost of a monthly treatment is 900-1100 rubles with a dose of 40 mg. At a daily dosage of 20 mg, the cost of treatment is 800-900 rubles. Generics "Lipimar" are much cheaper.

The cost of a month of treatment with the drug "Atoris 40 mg" is 500 rubles, and with a dose of 20 mg - 200 rubles. At the same time, "Atoris" is a bioequivalent "Liprimaru" drug that fully replaces it. Also there are cheaper drugs: Torvacard, Lipitor, Torvas, the cost of a monthly treatment in a daily dose of 40 mg will be cheaper than 300 rubles. And the price of therapy with a daily dosage of 20 mg will be 100-150 rubles.