Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
About
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is a combination drug composed of a blood-thinning agent and cholesterol-lowering agent primarily used to prevent heart attack and stroke in the future. It lowers the raised level of cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in our bodies. A heart attack occurs when your coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the heart) becomes blocked due to the build-up of fats (plaque), including cholesterol. These plaques narrow the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, mainly for most heart attacks.
Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is composed of two medicines, namely: Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel. Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication which blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents a clot in the blood vessels. Together Atorvastatin+clopidogrel reduces the increased levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) and prevents blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
You can take Atorvastatin+clopidogrel with food or without food. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take this medicine based on your medical condition. You may sometimes experience headaches, ankle swelling (oedema), slow heart rate, and nausea. Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is known to cause dizziness, so driving should be avoided. Most of these side effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking a Atorvastatin+clopidogrel of your own. Suddenly stopping using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may worsen your condition and increase your risk of a future heart attack. Let your doctor know if you are sensitive to atorvastatin or clopidogrel or have any active liver disease (liver enzyme abnormalities), active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), or muscle problem (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis). The patient should inform the doctor they are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel before any surgery or any new medicine is taken. Atorvastatin, present in Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is a pregnancy category X drug, so it should not be given to pregnant women. It may cause harm to the foetus if administered to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Uses of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
Medicinal Benefits
Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents clot formation in the blood vessels. Together Atorvastatin+clopidogrel reduces the increased levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) and prevents blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
- Bleeding (stomach, gastrointestinal, nose bleeding)
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ulcer
- Muscle disease (like myopathy, rhabdomyolysis)
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to Atorvastatin or clopidogrel, have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Atorvastatin present in Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is a pregnancy category X drug, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. As it may cause harm to the foetus if administered to pregnant women. The risk of muscle disease might increase if Atorvastatin+clopidogrel is taken with an antibiotic (clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole). Coadministration with anticoagulants like warfarin may cause gastric bleeding and other bleeding problems. So, if you are using any blood-thinning agents, let your doctor know about this. Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains Atorvastatin which can cause muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Patients with active liver disease should use the Atorvastatin+clopidogrel with caution. The safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established, so its use should be avoided in paediatric patients or children younger than ten years of age. Discontinuation of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may lead to cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke and angina (heart-related chest pain). Hence, you should consult a doctor before stopping the dose of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Atorvastatin+clopidogrel interacts with antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir), antifungal (e.g. itraconazole), blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, coumadin, heparin), anti-arthritis drug (e.g. colchicine), heart-related medicine (e.g. digoxin) and immune system affecting drug (e.g. cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcoholic beverages and grapefruit or its juice intake should be avoided with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel. It may interact with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel to produce unpleasant side effects like muscle problems and bleeding disorder.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Caution should be exercised while using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel in patients with active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), muscle problems or musculoskeletal problems (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), asthma, and purpura (blood leakage under the skin).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAtorvastatin+clopidogrel should not be taken with alcohol as it may worsen your liver condition with increased secretion of liver enzymes like transaminase. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeAtorvastatin+clopidogrel contains Atorvastatin which is a pregnancy category X medicine. It may cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the fetus. Hence, it is not recommended for pregnant women and those who are planning for a pregnancy. Your doctor might prescribe you only in an extreme case.
Breast Feeding
cautionTake Atorvastatin+clopidogrel only when prescribed, it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel usually causes blurry vision and may affect driving ability.
Liver
cautionAtorvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionAtorvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionAtorvastatin+clopidogrel is not recommended for children below the age of 10 years. The safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established in children due to limited testing of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Low cholesterol diet along with a regular exercise regime is found to complement treatment with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel effectively.
- Stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal and avoid processed, packed foods that contain hidden sugar and extra calories.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) quickly.
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so eating them regularly is beneficial.
- Include a diet enriched in fats like fish oils, polyunsaturated oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
Special Advise
- If you have a high cholesterol level, try to have a lipid profile test (LFT) every 6 months.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances known as plaque deposit on your artery walls that restrict blood flow. This plaque formation triggers blood clots, narrows the arteries' size, and hardens them. This, in turn, can lead to various heart complications like atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart-related chest pain (angina), and stroke. However, it can also affect the body's arteries apart from the heart.
FAQs
Yes, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains clopidogrel which prevents blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming clots which in turn prevents the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Yes, taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel can increase the risk of bleeding as it contains aspirin and clopidogrel which belongs to a class of blood-thinning agents. So, please be very cautious while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid any bleeding. Let your doctor know before going any surgical procedure, that you are taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
No. Atorvastatin+clopidogrel contains Atorvastatin which is pregnancy category X medicine and can cause harm to both pregnant mother and unborn baby. Even if you are planning for pregnancy tell your doctor that you are using Atorvastatin+clopidogrel.
Yes, prolonged use of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may cause muscle diseases like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So if you feel any musculoskeletal pain after taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel consult your doctor about this issue.
Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Atorvastatin+clopidogrel. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood-thinning effect of your medicine.
Drinking alcohol with Atorvastatin+clopidogrel may damage your liver and increase liver enzymes like transaminase. So, Atorvastatin+clopidogrel should be used with caution who consume alcohol and/or have past history of liver disease.
If you accidentally take an overdose of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel you may have liver problems (increased secretion of liver enzymes) and bleeding complications. If problems persist you should immediately go to the nearby clinic or hospital.
You should have a total lipid profile (TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TC) and Blood coagulation tests like Complete blood count (CBC), Factor V assay, Fibrinogen Test, Prothrombin time (PT or PT-INR), Platelet count, Thrombin time and Bleeding time to analyze your blood clot timing and cholesterol level.
