Anzitor 20mg Tablet

Uses of Anzitor 20mg Tablet

• Hyperlipidaemia
• Prevention of heart attack and stroke
• Primary Hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood)

How does Anzitor 20mg Tablet work?

Anzitor 20mg Tablet works by preventing the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase which is essential for cholesterol formation. Thus this medicine helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. It also increases the good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein/HDL) levels in the body.

Side Effects of Anzitor 20mg Tablet

• Headache
• Blurred Vision
• Muscle Weakness
• Allergic Reactions
• Hyperglycaemia (Excess glucose in the bloodstream)
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Joint Swelling
• Back Pain

Quick Suggestions:

• The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 100 calories (25 grams) per day for women and children and no more than 150 calories (37.5 grams) per day for men.
• Keep your sodium chloride (table salt) intake below 2,300 mg per day as part of a healthy eating pattern. High sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues.
• Smoking cessation is strongly encouraged for better overall health.
• If you are prescribed Atorvastatin or a similar medication, be vigilant about potential side effects. Contact your doctor if you experience fatigue, muscle weakness, or muscle pain.
• Your doctor may check your liver function before starting treatment with Atorvastatin and periodically thereafter. Notify your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking Atorvastatin, as it may affect your blood sugar levels.
• Do not use Atorvastatin if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider for alternative options if needed.
• Pay attention to any muscle-related symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or pain. Contact your doctor if these symptoms affect your daily activities.

Primary Hypercholesterolemia:

This condition is characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood. If the cholesterol level exceeds 250 mg/dl, it is referred to as primary cholesterolemia. Elevated cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart-related problems.

Hyperlipidemia:

Hyperlipidemia is a condition characterized by high levels of both bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides in the blood. This condition can lead to the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart problems.

Prevention of Heart Attack and Stroke:

High levels of blood cholesterol and fats can lead to the narrowing and obstruction of blood vessels, which can ultimately result in heart attacks or strokes. Preventing and managing these conditions is crucial to reduce the risk of these life-threatening events.

Pharmacology

Anzitor acts as a selective, competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, a crucial enzyme responsible for converting 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A into mevalonate, a precursor of sterols, including cholesterol. In the liver, triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol are combined into very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and released into the bloodstream for delivery to peripheral tissues. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is formed from VLDL and is primarily metabolized through the high-affinity LDL receptor.

Anzitor reduces plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol synthesis in the liver. It also increases the number of hepatic LDL receptors on cell surfaces, enhancing the uptake and catabolism of LDL. Consequently, Anzitor® decreases LDL production and the quantity of LDL particles while enhancing LDL receptor activity and the quality of circulating LDL particles.

Dosage & Administration of Anzitor 20mg Tablet

When using Anzitor (atorvastatin) for various indications, it's important to follow specific dosing guidelines and consider factors such as age and renal function:

Dietary Precautions:

• Patients should already be on a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before starting Anzitor.
• They should continue this diet throughout the treatment with Anzitor.

Initial Dose:

• The usual starting dose of Anzitor® for all indications is 10 mg once daily.

Dosage Range:

• The dosage of Anzitor can range from 10 to 80 mg once daily.

Individualization of Dosage:

• Dosages should be individualized based on the patient's baseline LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels.
• The goal of therapy and the patient's response to treatment should also be considered when determining the appropriate dosage.

Dosage Adjustments:

• Adjustments to the dosage can be made at intervals of 4 weeks or longer. This allows time to assess the patient's response to the medication and make necessary changes.

Timing of Administration:

• Anzitor can be taken at any time of day.
• It can be taken with or without food.

Use in Children:

• Limited treatment experience with Anzitor® in the pediatric population suggests that doses of up to 80 mg/day can be used in children.

Use in Geriatric Patients (>70 years):

• The safety and efficacy of Anzitor in elderly patients (>70 years) are similar to those in patients younger than 70 years.
• The same dosing range of up to 80 mg/day can be considered for geriatric patients.

Renal Insufficiency:

• No dosage adjustment is required for patients with renal insufficiency.
• This means that Anzitor can be used in patients with kidney problems without needing a different dose based on their renal function.

Interaction

Before taking Anzitor 20mg Tablet, it's essential to inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you are currently taking, as certain drugs can interact with atorvastatin. Here are some drug-drug interactions to be aware of:

• Medicines used to prevent graft rejection (e.g., cyclosporine): Atorvastatin may interact with these medications, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
• Medicines used to treat bacterial infections (e.g., fusidic acid, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin): These antibiotics can interact with atorvastatin, possibly leading to muscle-related side effects.
• Medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole): Similar to antibiotics, antifungal drugs can interact with atorvastatin and increase the risk of muscle-related side effects.
• Rifampin (used to treat tuberculosis): Rifampin can reduce the effectiveness of atorvastatin, so your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
• Other cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, colestipol, ezetimibe): Combining these drugs with atorvastatin may increase the risk of muscle-related side effects.
• Medicines used to treat heart problems (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone): Some heart medications may interact with atorvastatin, so your doctor will need to monitor your treatment carefully.
• Medicines used to treat viral infections (e.g., HIV or Hepatitis C medications): Certain antiviral drugs can interact with atorvastatin, potentially affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
• Warfarin (used to prevent blood clots): Combining atorvastatin with warfarin may require close monitoring of blood clotting parameters.
• Oral contraceptives (levonorgestrel): Some birth control pills may interact with atorvastatin, so your doctor may need to adjust your medication.
• Stiripentol (used to control epilepsy): This epilepsy medication can interact with atorvastatin, so your doctor will need to monitor your treatment.
• Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers (e.g., cimetidine): These medications may interact with atorvastatin.
• Antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide): These over-the-counter antacids can be taken, but they should be separated from atorvastatin administration.
• Phenazone (used for pain relief): It may interact with atorvastatin.
• Colchicine (used to treat gout): Combining colchicine with atorvastatin may increase the risk of muscle-related side effects.
• St. John's Wort (herbal preparation for depression): This herbal remedy can affect atorvastatin metabolism.

Additionally, it's important to avoid consuming grapefruit while taking Anzitor 20mg Tablet, as it can reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to atorvastatin or any other ingredient of Anzitor 20mg Tablet.
• If you are being treated with medicines for hepatitis C like the combination of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir. If you are not sure what these medicines are, please confirm with your doctor.
• If you have liver disorders or your liver tests are abnormal.
• If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• If you are a woman capable of having children and not using effective contraceptive measures.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Atorvastatin is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraceptive measures. If pregnancy occurs while taking atorvastatin, discontinue the medication.

Precautions & Warnings

Atorvastatin can potentially lead to the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, which may result in kidney failure. This risk is higher in the elderly, individuals with kidney disease, and those with poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Atorvastatin is not recommended for children under ten years of age. Before taking Atorvastatin, you should consult your doctor if you have a history of allergic reactions to it, liver problems (such as jaundice or liver cirrhosis), kidney problems, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, have severe lung disease, have previously experienced a heart attack or stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, have hypothyroidism, consume more than two servings of alcohol daily, or have a muscle disorder like fibromyalgia and damaged muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis).

Storage Conditions

Store below 25°C, protecting from light and moisture. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.