Atorvastatin+aspirin
About Atorvastatin+aspirin
Atorvastatin+aspirin is used for the prevention of heart attack and stroke. It also lowers the raised level of bad cholesterol (especially those who are at high risk of heart disease). A heart attack generally refers to a blocked flow of blood to the heart due to the blockage of arteries. The blockage is most often a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form a plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries).
Atorvastatin+aspirin is composed of two medicines namely: Atorvastatin and Aspirin. Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication which blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. It reduces the bad cholesterol (also known as low-density lipoproteins or LDL), and triglycerides (TG). It increases the levels of good cholesterol (also known as high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Aspirin is a blood thinner or anti-platelet (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents the formation of clots in the blood vessels. Together Atorvastatin+aspirin help to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related chest pain (angina). Additionally, it is also given to the patients who had a recent heart bypass surgery (CABG) to control the level of cholesterol and prevent blood clots.
Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headache, ankle swelling (oedema), dark urine, muscle weakness, slow heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Atorvastatin+aspirin 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 this medicine of your own. Stopping Atorvastatin+aspirin abruptly may worsen your condition and increase your risk of future heart attack. Let your doctor know if you are sensitive to atorvastatin or aspirin, have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), muscle problems (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients should inform the doctor that they are taking Atorvastatin+aspirin before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Atorvastatin, present in Atorvastatin+aspirin, is a pregnancy category X drug, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. As it may cause harm to the fetus if administered to a pregnant woman. Inform your doctor that you are taking Atorvastatin+aspirin if you are going to have any surgery.
Uses of Atorvastatin+aspirin
Medicinal Benefits
Atorvastatin+aspirin is composed of two medicines: Atorvastatin and Aspirin. Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication and it blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. It reduces the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Besides this, Aspirin prevents the formation of clots in the blood vessels. Together Atorvastatin+aspirin prevents risk of any heart attack or stroke in future.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+aspirin
Headache
Ankle swelling (oedema)
Dark urine
Muscle weakness
Slow heart rate
Dizziness
Nausea
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are highly sensitive to atorvastatin, or aspirin, have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Atorvastatin+aspirin before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Atorvastatin present in Atorvastatin+aspirin is a pregnancy category X drug so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. Atorvastatin+aspirin contains Atorvastatin which can cause muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So, any signs of muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, during the initial months of the treatment should be closely monitored. Safety and effectiveness of Atorvastatin+aspirin have not been established, so its use should be avoided in paediatric patients or children less than 12 years of age. Abrupt discontinuation of Atorvastatin+aspirin may lead to the occurrence of cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, and angina (heart-related chest pain). Hence, you should consult a doctor before stopping the dose of Atorvastatin+aspirin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Atorvastatin+aspirin may interact with antibiotics (clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole), blood thinners (warfarin, heparin), anti-arthritis drug (colchicine), heart-related medicine (digoxin), and immune system affecting drug (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Alcoholic beverages and grapefruit or its juice intake should be avoided with Atorvastatin+aspirin as it may interact with Atorvastatin+aspirin to produce unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Atorvastatin+aspirin should not be given to the 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+aspirin should not be taken until prescribed if you are taking alcohol. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol with Atorvastatin+aspirin may potentiate gastric or stomach bleeding and ulcer symptoms. So, try to avoid or limit consumption of alcoholic beverages while using Atorvastatin+aspirin.
Pregnancy
unsafeAtorvastatin+aspirin contains Atorvastatin which is a pregnancy category X medicine. So, it is not recommended for the pregnant mother, or those who are planning to get pregnant. In an extreme case, your doctor will decide whether Atorvastatin+aspirin can be given or not.
Breast Feeding
cautionTake Atorvastatin+aspirin only when prescribed, as it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child. Contact your doctor before using Atorvastatin+aspirin.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution as, Atorvastatin+aspirin can cause blurry vision and may affect your driving ability.
Liver
cautionAtorvastatin+aspirin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Dose can be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedAtorvastatin+aspirin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionAtorvastatin+aspirin is not recommended for children below the age of 16 years. The safety and effectivenss of Atorvastatin+aspirin has not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children by competent authorities across the world.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Eat a healthy diet especially rich in soluble fibre like beans, legumes, whole grain, flax, apples, and citrus fruits.
Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats that can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in a short span of time. Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain lots of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it’s beneficial to eat them regularly.
Try to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish, and low in red meat and most dairy.
Try to give priority to more fruits and veggies in your daily meal as these contain antioxidants which help to lower LDL - low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol)
Minimize the intake of added sugar. The American Heart Association (ADA) recommends, one should not eat more than 100 calories (25 grams) of added sugar for women and childraen, and no more than 150 calories (37.5 grams) for men every day.
American Heart Association recommends the intake of sodium chloride (table salt) should not exceed more than 2,300 mg per day as part of a healthy eating pattern.
As a precautionary measure, do not consume alcohol and quit smoking.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque deposits on your artery walls that restrict blood flow. This plaque formation triggers blood clots, narrows the artery's size and makes it hardened. This, in turn, can lead to various heart complications like heart attack, heart-related chest pain (angina) and stroke. However, it can also affect the arteries of the body apart from the heart.
FAQs
Atorvastatin+aspirin is used for the prevention of heart attack and stroke. It lowers bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels.
Yes, the use of Atorvastatin+aspirin can cause dizziness in some patients. They may experience symptoms such as feeling of fainting, weakness, or lightheadedness. In case you experience such symptoms, it is better to rest for some time until you feel better.
Usually Atorvastatin+aspirin is prescribed for a long term treatment ranging from weeks to months for treating heart-related conditions and disorders. However, taking it on your own for years without doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you.
Yes, Atorvastatin+aspirin is known to cause upset stomach. So, it should be taken with food so as to avoid discomfort. If even then, problem persists, please consult your doctor for best advise. In rare cases gastro intestinal bleeding can be observed due to blood thinning action of aspirin present in Atorvastatin+aspirin.
There's no strong evidence to suggest that taking Atorvastatin+aspirin will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking it if you're likely to get pregnant or pregnant.
Yoghurt has the ability to lower cholesterol to its probiotic content. Yoghurt eaters have a better metabolic profile than those who didn't eat yoghurt.
Atorvastatin+aspirin can raise your blood sugar (H1b1AC) a little. If you already have type 2 diabetes please consult your doctor. The doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Atorvastatin+aspirin contains aspirin which can increased your risk of bleeding. Please consult your doctor if Atorvastatin+aspirin needs to be stopped before undergoing surgery. The doctor might ask you to stop taking Atorvastatin+aspirin few days before surgery to avoid the increased risk of bleeding during the procedure.
Yes, taking Atorvastatin+aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding as it contains aspirin which is a blood thinner. So, please be very caution while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid any bleeding.
Prolonged intake of statins causes musculo skeletal problems or muscle weakness problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So, you can reach out to doctor if you have any muscle pain or weakness after taking Atorvastatin+aspirin.
If you have trouble taking Atorvastatin+aspirin every day, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out the best time to take them or suggest other ways to remember. It’s important to take these medicines as prescribed because they can help your health. If you have any side effects, tell your doctor.
When you take Atorvastatin+aspirin, it’s important to tell your doctor about all the other medicines you’re taking. Watch out for any unusual bleeding or bruising. Try to limit how much alcohol you drink. Your doctor might want to check your liver. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about taking these medicines. Let your doctor know if you have any allergies or if your muscles hurt.
Atorvastatin+aspirin contains Atorvastatin which is a pregnancy category X medicine. So, it is not recommended for the pregnant mother, or those who are planning to get pregnant. In an extreme case, your doctor will decide whether Atorvastatin+aspirin can be given or not.
Atorvastatin+aspirin is usually safe when taken as directed by your doctor. However, like any medicine, they can cause side effects. Some people might have stomach problems, muscle pain, liver issues, or skin reactions. If you’re worried about taking these medicines or if you have any side effects, talk to your doctor.
While Atorvastatin+aspirin generally safe, it can sometimes cause liver problems, especially when taken in high doses or for extended periods. Signs of liver problems may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Atorvastatin+aspirin, it's important to contact your doctor immediately. They can assess your condition and determine if your medications need to be adjusted or discontinued.
Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep Atorvastatin+aspirin out of the sight and reach of children.
Atorvastatin+aspirin may sometimes cause muscle pain. If your muscles hurt, especially if they’re weak or you have a fever, tell your doctor right away. This could be a sign of a serious problem. Your doctor might need to change your medicines.
To stay healthy while taking Atorvastatin+aspirin, eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and try to lose weight if you need to. Limit how much alcohol you drink and stop smoking. Find ways to manage stress. See your doctor regularly to check on your health. These changes can help you feel better and stay healthy.
When taking Atorvastatin+aspirin, it's essential to be cautious about using additional painkillers, as some can interact with these medications and increase the risk of side effects. It's always best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication, especially if you're already on Aspirin and Atorvastatin. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific medical history and needs.
When taking Atorvastatin+aspirin, avoid taking any other medicines unless prescribed by the doctor. Consult your doctor. They can help you choose the proper medication for you if necessary.
While specific dosing instructions will vary depending on your individual needs and medical history. Always follow your doctor's prescribed dosage and timing for taking these medications.
Common side effects of Atorvastatin+aspirin may include headache, ankle swelling (oedema), dark urine, muscle weakness, slow heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Atorvastatin+aspirin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
No, you should not stop taking Atorvastatin+aspirin without consulting your doctor. Even if you feel better, these medications may still be necessary to manage your underlying health conditions. Stopping them abruptly can have negative consequences.
To ensure its effectiveness and minimize potential adverse effects, strictly follow to your doctor's dosage and duration instructions. Be aware of potential drug interactions and avoid alcohol consumption. If you have any side effects, contact your doctor right away. By following these suggestions, you can optimize the benefits of Atorvastatin+aspirin while minimizing its risks.
If you miss the dose of Atorvastatin+aspirin. Take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the forgotten dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two tablets to compensate for the forgotten dose.
Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Atorvastatin+aspirin as it may cause overdose. If you suspect you have taken overdose, please consult a doctor immediately.
Atorvastatin+aspirin is composed of two medicines namely: Atorvastatin (a lipid-lowering medication which blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body) and Aspirin (a blood thinner or anti-platelet medication that prevents the formation of clots in the blood vessels.)
