The drug atorvastatin is mainly used in the context of cholesterol lowering. It has a medical benefit during or after a diet. Subsequently, it is often used to reduce the risk of heart attack as a positive side effect.
What is atorvastatin?
The drug atorvastatin is mainly used in the context of cholesterol lowering. As a component of different medications, atorvastatin is mostly used when a cholesterol level of at least 5.5 millimoles per liter can be detected in the blood. In these cases, attempts to lower cholesterol have regularly been made unsuccessfully by means of diet. Regulation must therefore be achieved by medical therapy. If such measures are not taken, the organism could be permanently damaged. Then also the danger of a heart attack or a Arterienverkalkung would be given. Depending on the effect of the ailments, atorvastatin is prescribed in a dosage of ten to 80 milligrams and is usually administered on a time-limited basis. However, the prescription tablets are considered comparatively costly and should therefore only be used if a diet did not ensure the desired success.
Pharmacologic effect
Cholesterol is a natural active ingredient. It performs vital functions in the body. For example, the construction and repair of cell membranes depend on a certain level of cholesterol. This can be influenced in two ways. On the one hand, cholesterol is produced in the human liver. On the other hand, the level can be raised or lowered through the intake of certain foods. Mostly the latter is the case. A too high cholesterol value would then no longer be seen positively, but would be associated with considerable dangers. At this point, however, atorvastatin intervenes: it lowers the production of the intrinsically important building block in the liver. Specifically, the drug influences the production of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. A double effect occurs. HDL cholesterol, considered favorable for the organism, continues to be created by the liver. LDL cholesterol, on the other hand, which is considered negative, is no longer produced or is produced only to a lesser extent. The risk of arteriosclerosis decreases. It is therefore advisable, in addition to taking the atorvastatin, to continue to pay attention to the diet and thus support the drug.
Medical application and use
Basically, atorvastatin is aimed at lowering cholesterol levels. Also all associated after-effects such as the heart attack or arteriosclerosis can be avoided consequently. The drug has a further effect with regard to triacylglycerides. If there is an increased level of this blood fat, the health of the person concerned could also suffer as a result. Likewise, an increase of the protein apolipoprotein B in the blood would be considered risky. In these cases, the administration of atorvastatin is usually discontinued. However, the drug is only used when all the aforementioned developments have already reached a critical level. As a preventive measure, however, the drug has no effect. Moreover, it is usually prescribed only when other measures of alleviation have been tried without success. When taken, rapid and even acute improvements are possible: Atorvastatin takes effect as early as two hours later. It is absorbed, converted and processed by the organism without major delays.
Risks and side effects
However, atorvastatin should be taken under medical supervision. In many cases, even a mild overdose results in significant headaches and dizziness. Often the entire gastrointestinal tract is also affected. Abdominal pain, flatulence, an unpleasant feeling of fullness or heartburn can occur. Mostly, the affected person now feels tired and powerless. He or she lacks the energy to devote to the tasks of the day. Drivers or machine operators may experience a reduced ability to concentrate. People who have an already sensitive or weak immune system may also complain of skin rashes or a more frequently noticeable itching in the fingers. Water retention in the legs, back pain or rheumatism-like complaints, on the other hand, only occur in acute and relatively severe overdoses.The exact determination of the required value must therefore be made on a case-by-case basis.
