Atorvastatin

Salt form of Atorvastatin is used i.e. atorvastatin calcium. It belongs to a drug calss of Statins.

Structure:

Credit: Drugbank.ca

Mechanism of Action:
It works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA (Hydroxymethyl glutaryl Coenzyme-A) reductase, which is present in the tissues of the liver and is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the body via mevalonate pathway.

Pharmacokinetics:
Maximum plasma concentrations is found within 1 to 2 hours. Absorption increases with increasing the dose of the drug. The absolute bioavailability is found to be 14%.

Uses:

It is used for the treatment of Cholesterol i.e. hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. It is used to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and angina.

Side effects:
It may cause diarrhea, apin in extremeties and urinary tract infections.

Brand Names:

• Atogal (Ingers (Czech Republic))
• Atorpic
• Cardyl (Pfizer (Spain))
• Faboxim (Fabop (Argentina))
• Hipolixan (Pasteur (Chile))
• Lipitor (Pfizer, Elea (Argentina))
• Lipotropic (Drugtech (Chile))
• Lipovastatinklonal (Klonal (Argentina))
• Liprimar (Pfizer (Hungary, Ukraine), Goedecke (Russia))
• Lowden (Saval (Chile))
• Normalip (Quesada (Argentina))
• Sincol (Indeco (Argentina))
• Sortis (Pfizer (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland), Godecke (Germany), Parke, Davis (Germany))
• Sotis
• Torvacard (Zentiva (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Ukraine))
• Torvast (Pfizer (Italy))
• Totalip (Guidotti (Italy))
• Tozalip
• Tulip (Lek (Czech Republic, Russia), Wermar (Mexico), Sandoz (Poland, Ukraine), Pharmacia (Spain))
• Vastina (Penn (Argentina))
• Xanator (Sieger (Greece))
• Xarator (Parke, Davis (Italy))
• Xavator
• Zurinel (Prater (Chile))

It is also available in the combination with amlodipine with the name of "Caduet".