Overview
11 DESCRIPTION ATORVALIQ (atorvastatin) is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Atorvastatin calcium is [R-(R*, R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-ß, δ-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid, calcium salt (2:1) trihydrate.
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Atorvastatin is a selective, competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of sterols, including cholesterol. In animal models, atorvastatin lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis in the liver and by increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors on the cell surface to enhance uptake and catabolism of LDL; atorvastatin also reduces LDL production and the number of LDL particles. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Atorvastatin, as well as some of its metabolites, are pharmacologically active in humans.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ATORVALIQ is indicated: • To reduce the risk of: o Myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, revascularization procedures, and angina in adults with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) but without clinically evident CHD. o MI and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with multiple risk factors for CHD but without clinically evident CHD. o Non-fatal MI, fatal and non-fatal stroke, revascularization procedures, hospitalization for congestive heart failure, and angina in adults with clinically evident CHD.
Common Doses
- 20 mg
- 10 mg
- 80 mg
- 40 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Take orally once daily, only on an empty stomach ( 2.1 ). • Assess LDL-C when clinically appropriate, as early as 4 weeks after initiating ATORVALIQ, and adjust dosage if necessary ( 2.1 ). • Adults ( 2.2 ): o Recommended starting dosage is 10 or 20 mg once daily; dosage range is 10 mg to 80 mg once daily. o Patients requiring LDL-C reduction >45% may start at 40 mg once daily. • Pediatric Patients Aged 10 Years of Age and Older with HeFH: Recommended starting dosage is 10 mg once daily; dosage range is 10 to 20 mg once daily ( 2.3 ).
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ATORVALIQ is contraindicated in patients with: • Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any excipients in ATORVALIQ. Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . • Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis ( 4 ). • Hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any excipient in ATORVALIQ ( 4 ).
Side Effects
- 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) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) are nasopharyngitis, arthralgia, diarrhea, pain in extremity, and urinary tract infection ( 6.1 ).
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • See full prescribing information for details regarding concomitant use of ATORVALIQ with other drugs or grapefruit juice that increase the risk of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis ( 2.5 , 7.1 ). • Rifampin: May reduce atorvastatin plasma concentrations. Administer simultaneously with ATORVALIQ ( 7.2 ). • Oral Contraceptives: May increase plasma levels of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol; consider this effect when selecting an oral contraceptive ( 7.3 ). • Digoxin: May increase digoxin plasma levels; monitor patients appropriately ( 7.3 ). 7.