Atorvastatin

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Atorvastatin, a type II statin.

Atorvastatin, commonly called Lipitor®, is a type II statin used to treat high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), prevent heart attacks and strokes, and to lessen the formation of artial plaque. It is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that decreases the synthesis of mevalonate, a key chemical precursor of cholesterol. Although the structure is based on an indole ring, as are the other type II statins fluvastatin and rosuvastatin, its longer half-life and specificity for the liver makes atorvastatin a better drug for lowering LDL-cholesterol levels. The metabolites of atorvastatin, ortho- and parahydroxylated derivatives and various beta-oxidation products, are equivalent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The drug should be taken with a low fat meal and alcohol and grapefruit juice should be avoided. Atorvastatin can be toxic, leading to liver problems, rhabdomyolysis and eye hemorrhages.

Its official IUPAC chemical name is (3R,5R)-7-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4-(phenylcarbamoyl)-5-propan-2-ylpyrrol-1-yl]-3,5-dihydroxyheptanoic acid and it has chemical formula C₃₃H₃₅FN₂O₅.

Drug interactions

The effects and/or toxicity of atorvastatin may be increased when taken in combination with amprenavir, ataxanavir, clarithromycin, diltiazem, erythromycin, the NNRT inhibitors delavirdine, eavirenz and nevirapine, fosamprenavir, imatinib, indinavir, josamycin, nefazodone, nelfinavir, quinupristin, ritonavir, saquinavir, tacrolimus, telithromycin and verapamil. The effects of atorvastatin may decrease when used in combination with bosentan, carbamazepine, rifabutin and rifampin. The risks of myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis increase when atorvastatin is used with bezafibrate, colchicine, cyclosporine, fenofibrate, fluconazole, gemfibrozil, itraconazole and ketoconazole.

brand names

• Cardyl®
• Lipitor®
• Sotis®
• Torvast®
• Tozalip®
• Xavator®
• Sortis®
• Torvacard®
• Totalip®
• Tulip®
• Xarator®
• Atorpic®
• Liprimar®

External links

The most up-to-date information about Atorvastatin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Atorvastatin - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Atorvastatin - Drug information for consumers from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Atorvastatin - Detailed information from DrugBank.