Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It is prescribed to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels if you've been diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Everyone has cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood. They are a type of fatty substance that circulate in the blood and are used by your body for many different functions. However, too much 'bad' cholesterol can block the blood vessels that supply your heart and brain with blood, and can cause heart problems. Atorvastatin lowers the ‘bad’ cholesterol and helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

You can purchase Atorvastin tablets online at euroClinix after completing an online consultation for high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is made naturally by the liver, and a small portion comes from your diet. It is needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. There are two types of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good” cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol).

High levels of LDL cholesterol can be harmful. It can build up on artery walls, making it hard for blood to flow smoothly.

Atorvastatin is a medicine that helps lower cholesterol levels by blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. This reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver and lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood.

Atorvastatin also increases LDL receptors on the surface of cells. These help to clear LDL cholesterol from the blood, which further lowers overall cholesterol levels.

There are many benefits of taking Atorvastatin, including:

Reduces the risk of heart disease

Atorvastatin reduces the chance of heart attacks or strokes, especially for patients with high cholesterol or those at high risk.

Convenient dosing schedule

This medicine is usually taken once daily, making it easy to fit into your daily routine. It can also be taken at any time of the day.

Widely available and affordable

Atorvastatin is widely available globally, and is a cost-effective option compared to newer cholesterol lowering drugs.

Well tolerated

Clinical studies suggest that Atorvastatin is generally well tolerated with most patients experiencing little to no side effects. If side effects occur, these are generally mild and resolve on their own.

Research has shown that Atorvastatin is an effective treatment for high cholesterol.

Depending on the dose taken, in studies, Atorvastatin has been shown to reduce:

• Total cholesterol by 30% to 46%
• LDL cholesterol by 41% to 61%
• Triglycerides by 14% to 33%

Studies also found that Atorvastain produces variable increases in HDL-C and apolipoprotein A1 (a protein that helps regulate cholesterol levels).

Lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease, thereby improving your quality of life.

Atorvastatin can be purchased online from euroClinix if you have a current prescription from your doctor.

If you're uncertain about starting treatment, rest assured that Atorvastatin is a well-researched and widely prescribed medication.

Who can take this medicine?

Most adults suffering from high cholesterol or triglycerides can safely buy Atorvastatin online from euroClinix. First, you must complete an online consultation to ensure this medicine is suitable for you.

Who cannot take this medicine?

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Atorvastatin or any of the other ingredients in this medication.

You should also avoid taking this medicine if you:

• have or have ever had liver disease
• have ever had any unexplained abnormal liver function tests
• if you are a woman who does not use any reliable contraception
• if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding

You must talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you:

• have severe respiratory failure
• have previously had a stroke
• have kidney problems
• have an under-active thyroid gland
• have had muscle aches or pains, or a personal history or family history of muscle problems
• have or have had myasthenia (a disease with general muscle weakness)
• have ocular myasthenia (a disease which causes eye muscle weakness)
• regularly drink a lot of alcohol
• are over 70 years old
• are lactose intolerant

Dosage

Atorvastatin is available in dosages of 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg and 80mg. The dosage you will be prescribed will be determined by your doctor depending on your needs. At euroClinix, we currently do not stock the 30mg and 60mg dosage forms.

After four weeks, your dose may be altered slightly, depending on the effect it is having. The maximum dose is 80mg once a day.

Please note, you will need to have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels as well as liver and kidney function before being prescribed this medicine.

How to take it

Atorvastatin is easy to take, simply take one tablet once daily. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. It does not matter if you take your dose with or without food.

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to take this medicine.

When to take it

Atorvastatin can be taken at any time of day, however, try to take it at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take your medicine.

How long do I take it for?

Atorvastatin is usually taken lifelong to keep your cholesterol levels under control and reduce the risk of heart disease.

In some cases your doctor may advise you to stop taking this medicine if lifestyle changes, such as diet or exercise, bring your cholesterol levels back down to the recommended range.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing this can cause your cholesterol levels to rise once again, which can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take this medication, simply take your next scheduled dose at the correct time. Do not take a double dose as this will increase the risk of side effects.

Atorvastatin starts to work within a few days however, the cholesterol-lowering effects take around 2 weeks. The full effect of Atorvastatin is usually reached within 4 weeks. This is why any dose changes, if needed, are made after 4 weeks.

Most people with high cholesterol do not have symptoms. So, even if the medicine is working, you may not feel different. Regardless, you must keep taking this medicine daily.

It’s important to make certain lifestyle changes for cholesterol management alongside taking this medicine. Some changes include:

Being more physically active

Exercise can lower cholesterol levels. Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Good options include brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

Stop smoking

Smoking and vaping can lower your HDL (‘good’) cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can lower your triglycerides and increase your HDL cholesterol levels.

Lose weight

​​Being overweight or obese may increase the level of bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Losing even 5-10% of body weight can improve your cholesterol.

Reduce alcohol intake

Drinking less alcohol will help your liver work better at removing bad cholesterol. It can also improve your heart health by helping with weight loss and lowering blood pressure.

Reduce stress

Some studies suggest that stress can contribute to increased blood cholesterol levels. Practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress levels.

The best way to lower your cholesterol is to eat a heart healthy diet, and reduce your intake of saturated fat and trans fat. Try to eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and limit fried foods, red and processed meats, sodium and sugar-sweetened foods and drinks.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

As with all prescription medications, Atorvastatin may cause some side effects. However, Atorvastatin side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own once your body adjusts to the medicine.

Common side effects

Uncommon side effects

Rare side effects

If you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects, stop taking this medication and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction - symptoms may include sudden wheezing and chest pain or tightness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing.
• hearing loss
• unexpected bleeding or bruising
• lupus-like disease syndrome (symptoms include a rash, joint disorders and effects on blood cells)

This is not a complete list of adverse effects of Atorvastatin, for the full list please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Some common side effects of this medicine can be managed at home. Find some helpful management tips below:

Nasal passage inflammation or nosebleeds

Use a saline nasal spray to keep nasal passages moist. Try to avoid dry environments as this may worsen irritation.

Muscle pain

If this is severe and ongoing, speak to your doctor about adjusting the dose or switching to a different statin.

Headache

Stay hydrated and avoid drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Consider using over-the-counter pain relief medicines like paracetamol (if suitable).

Nausea

Try to take this medicine at night, just before bedtime to avoid this sensation. Consider eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large portions.

Constipation or diarrhoea

For constipation: Eat foods rich in fibre (e.g. whole grains, fruits, vegetables) and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

For diarrhoea: Avoid fatty, greasy, or sugary foods and eat bland foods like rice, crackers, and toast instead.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, supplements, or natural health products. There are some medicines that may change the effect of atorvastatin or vice versa. These interactions may make one or both of the medicines less effective.

Some interactions with Atorvastatin may include:

• Medicines that affect the immune system (e.g. ciclosporin)
• Certain antibiotics or antifungals (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• Medicines to regulate lipid levels (e.g. gemfibrozil, fibrates, colestipol)
• Medicines for chest pain or high blood pressure (e.g. amlodipine, diltiazem)
• Medicines that regulate the heart rhythm (e.g. digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone)
• Some antivirals (e.g. letermovir)
• HIV medicines (e.g. ritonavir, tipranavir/ritonavir)
• Hepatitis C medicines (e.g. telaprevir)
• Ezetimibe (to lower cholesterol)
• Warfarin (for blood clotting)
• Some oral contraceptives
• Stiripentol (for epilepsy)
• Medicines for heartburn and indigestion (e.g. cimetidine and antacids)
• Phenazone (a painkiller)
• Colchicine (for gout)
• St John’s Wort (a natural remedy)
• Grapefruit juice

If you are taking or have taken a medicine called fusidic acid in the last 7 days you will need to temporarily stop taking Atorvastatin. This is because taking both of these together can lead to serious muscle problems. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to restart atorvastatin.

This is not a complete list of interactions. For a full list, please refer to the BNF interaction checker.

For more information, refer to the safety information table below:

How to store

Do not store this medicine above 25°C and keep it out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the pack. To throw away any expired or unused medication, take it to your nearest pharmacy. Do not throw medicines away in your household waste or flush them down the toilet, as this may harm the environment.

No. Atorvastatin is not available over the counter, it requires a prescription from a doctor. This is because a doctor will need to assess your cholesterol levels, medical conditions and overall health before prescribing it.

You can buy Atorvastatin online from euroClinix after filling out an online questionnaire, which will be reviewed by one of our doctors to make sure that the medication will be safe for you.

To buy Atorvastatin online from euroClinix, follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
2. UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
3. Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
4. Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK’s medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Atorvastatin at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not right for you, we have other options available to treat high cholesterol. You can find these alternatives in the table below:

Speak to your doctor about which of these options best suits your needs.