Atorvastatin+amlodipine
About
Atorvastatin+amlodipine is a combination of cholesterol-lowering agent and anti-hypertensive agent, primarily used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease (clogged arteries). It lower raised bad cholesterol levels (low-density lipoprotein - LDL), triglycerides (TG) and increases good cholesterol levels (high-density lipoprotein - HDL) in the body. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow to the heart. This blockage of arteries is often an accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries).
Atorvastatin+amlodipine is composed of two medicines, namely: Atorvastatin and Amlodipine. Atorvastatin belongs to the class of drugs known as statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. It works by blocking liver enzymes, causing the liver to make less cholesterol. Amlodipine belongs to the class of 'calcium channel blockers' and is used to treat high blood pressure, Prinzmetal's or variant angina (chest pain) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. It relaxes blood vessels, so that blood passes through them easily, thereby lowers the blood pressure. Thus, Atorvastatin+amlodipine lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack in people with diabetes and coronary heart disease with raised cholesterol level.
Your doctor will advise you how often you take Atorvastatin+amlodipine based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Atorvastatin+amlodipine include nausea, stomach pain, headache, sleepiness, ankle swelling, flushing (warm sensation in the face, ears, neck and trunk), palpitations (pounding heartbeat), constipation, muscle pain and tiredness. These side effects do not occur in everyone using Atorvastatin+amlodipine and may vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, it is advised to consult your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Stopping Atorvastatin+amlodipine may worsen your condition and increase the risk of a future heart attack. Let your doctor know if are sensitive to Atorvastatin+amlodipine and have any kidney/liver diseases and heart problems like aortic/mitral stenosis (reduced blood flow from left atrium to the left ventricle due to narrowing of the mitral valve). Atorvastatin+amlodipine is not recommended for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Atorvastatin+amlodipine may cause dizziness, hence it is advised to drive only when you are mentally alert.
Uses of Atorvastatin+amlodipine
Medicinal Benefits
Atorvastatin+amlodipine is used to treat myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke or coronary artery disease. It also lowers abnormally elevated bad cholesterol or fat levels and raises good cholesterol levels in the body. Atorvastatin+amlodipine is composed of Atorvastatin and Amlodipine. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering agent and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. It works by blocking liver enzymes, causing the liver to make less cholesterol. Atorvastatin reduces the risk of coronary events, such as heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain). Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels, so that blood passes through them easily, thereby lowering the blood pressure. It treats high blood pressure, Prinzmetal's or variant angina (chest pain) and coronary artery disease conditions. Amlodipine also improves blood supply to the heart muscle to receive more oxygen and thus preventing chest pain. Atorvastatin+amlodipine helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, thereby preventing a heart attack, stroke and other peripheral vascular diseases.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+amlodipine
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Ankle swelling
- Flushing (warm sensation in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
- Palpitations (pounding heartbeat)
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
It is important to tell your doctor if you have any kidney/liver diseases, muscle pain, diabetes, thyroid disorders, alcohol use, and heart problems (aortic/mitral stenosis) before using Atorvastatin+amlodipine. The patient should inform the doctor if he/she is taking Atorvastatin+amlodipine before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Atorvastatin+amlodipine can have harmful effects on the baby when a pregnant mother uses it. Also, Atorvastatin+amlodipine can pass into the breast milk and may affect the breastfed infants. Atorvastatin+amlodipine is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Atorvastatin+amlodipine may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea or tiredness that can affect your ability to drive; hence drive or operate machinery only when you are alert. Avoid alcohol intake while using Atorvastatin+amlodipine since it may lead to increased blood pressure and further worsening of side effects. Atorvastatin+amlodipine should be used in children only under a doctor's supervision.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Atorvastatin+amlodipine may interact with cholesterol-lowering drugs (Gemfibrozil), antibiotics (daptomycin, telithromycin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), hepatitis C medications (glecaprevir+pibrentasvir, telaprevir), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir), pain killers (ibuprofen, naproxen), birth control pills and heart-related medicines.
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it may cause a rise in blood pressure leading to heart diseases. Avoid fatty foods to help control your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exclude red yeast rice products, grapefruit and its products from your diet to prevent unwanted side effects while using Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Atorvastatin+amlodipine should be used with caution if you have any kidney/liver diseases, muscle pain, diabetes, thyroid disorders, alcohol use and heart problems (aortic/mitral stenosis).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol since it may worsen the side effects like dizziness and increases blood pressure.
Pregnancy
unsafeAtorvastatin+amlodipine is contraindicated and is unsafe to use during pregnancy since it has harmful effects on the foetus. If the patient becomes pregnant while using Atorvastatin+amlodipine, please discontinue immediately, and you should be aware of the potential risks to the foetus. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to conceive or already pregnant before starting Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAtorvastatin+amlodipine is contraindicated and not recommended for use if you are lactating, since it passes through the breast milk and can affect nursing infants. Please consult your doctor before starting Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Driving
cautionAtorvastatin+amlodipine may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea or tiredness that can affect your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience such symptoms. Please seek medical attention if these symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Children
cautionUsage and dosing of Atorvastatin+amlodipine in children are to be determined by the doctor. The doctor decides the dosing schedule based on the child's age and weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over the counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
- Low cholesterol diet and regular exercise regime are found to complement treatment with Atorvastatin+amlodipine effectively.
- Keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control.
- Eat at regular intervals and maintain a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables.
- High-fat meal should be avoided as it may further increase the risk of heart attack and instead eat heart-healthy foods.
- Limit alcohol intake since it raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart diseases.
- Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
- Your doctor also guides you on noticing and managing the early symptoms of detecting heart diseases.
Special Advise
- Please consult your doctor and mention that you are using Atorvastatin+amlodipine before undergoing a dental procedure or any surgery.
- Monitoring your heart health with an occasional ECG will be helpful.
- Please keep a check on your cholesterol levels (HDL, LDL) in blood with timely blood examinations.
- Your doctor may advice regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack.
Heart attack: It occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow to the heart. This blockage of arteries is often an accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). During a heart attack (myocardial infarction), the blood supply which nourishes the heart with oxygen is cut off. Heart attack signs include chest pain, upper body pain, sweating, nausea, fatigue and trouble breathing.
Stroke: It occurs when there is a blockage of blood supply to part of the brain that prevents brain tissues from getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Hyperlipidaemia or dyslipidemia: It occurs when there is an excess of the unhealthy balance of cholesterol in the blood. When there is a high cholesterol level in the blood, your arteries get narrowed and clogged that finally contributes to heart diseases, like stroke and heart attack. Eating high-fat or high-cholesterol containing food/drinks and genetic factors are the primary causes of high cholesterol.
FAQs
Atorvastatin+amlodipine lowers the bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels in the blood, preventing fat accumulation in blood vessels. It also decreases the blood pressure by widening the blood vessels and thus pumping blood to the heart. Thereby, Atorvastatin+amlodipine helps treat high blood pressure, stroke, chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease (clogged arteries).
Let your doctor know if you have any kidney/liver diseases, muscle pain, diabetes, thyroid disorders, alcohol use and heart problems (aortic/mitral stenosis) before taking Atorvastatin+amlodipine. Also please inform your doctor if you have any medical issues before commencing Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Atorvastatin+amlodipine can cause dizziness as one of its side effects. Please consult your doctor if you feel dizzy for a longer time. To reduce dizziness and light-headedness symptoms, it is advised to get up slowly when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Avoid driving or operating machinery during episodes of dizziness.
It is advised to limit or avoid the intake of foods high in fat or cholesterol while using Atorvastatin+amlodipine. This kind of foods may decrease the efficacy of Atorvastatin+amlodipine. Also please avoid taking grapefruit and its products since it may produce unwanted effects with Atorvastatin+amlodipine. Red yeast rice products are also not recommended while using Atorvastatin+amlodipine since they may increase muscle and liver problems.
Nitroglycerine is a blood pressure-lowering agent so if you are using this, let your doctor know about this before using Atorvastatin+amlodipine.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
