Atorvast-Natrapharm Dosage/Direction for Use

Patients should be placed on a standard cholesterol-lowering diet before receiving atorvastatin and should continue on this diet during treatment with atorvastatin. If appropriate, a program of weight control and physical exercise should be implemented.
Prior to initiating therapy with atorvastatin, secondary causes for elevations in plasma lipid levels should be excluded. A lipid profile should also be performed.
Primary Hypercholesterolemia and Combined (Mixed) Dyslipidemia, Including Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia: Recommended Starting Dose: 10 or 20 mg once daily, depending on patient's LDL-C reduction required. Patients who require a large reduction in LDL-C (>45%) may be started at 40 mg once daily. The dosage range of atorvastatin is 10-80 mg once daily. A significant therapeutic response is evident within 2 weeks and the maximum response is usually achieved within 2-4 weeks. The response is maintained during chronic therapy. Adjustments of dosage, if necessary, should be made at intervals of 2-4 weeks. The maximum dose is 80 mg/day.
The dosage of atorvastatin should be individualized according the baseline LDL-C, TC:HDL-C ratio and/or TG levels to achieve the recommended desired lipid values at the lowest dose needed to achieve LDL-C desired level. Lipid levels should be monitored periodically and if necessary, the dose of atorvastatin adjusted based on desired lipid levels recommended by guidelines.
Severe Dyslipidemias: In patients with severe dyslipidemias including homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III), higher dosages (up to 80 mg/day) may be required (see Precautions and Interactions).
Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Pediatric Patients (10-17 years): Recommended Starting Dose: 10 mg/day. Maximum Recommended Dose: 20 mg/day (doses >20 mg/day have not been studied in this patient population). Doses should be individualized according to the recommended goal of therapy (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions and Indications). Adjustments should be made at intervals of ≥4 weeks.
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical trials conducted that evaluated atorvastatin in the primary prevention of myocardial infarction used a dose of atorvastatin 10 mg once daily. For secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, optimal dosing may range from 10-80 mg atorvastatin once daily, to be given at the discretion of the prescriber, taking into account the expected benefit and safety considerations relevant to the patient to be treated.
Concomitant Therapy: See Interactions.
Renal Impairment: See Precautions.
Missed Dose: Take it as soon as possible. But if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and just take the next dose. Don't take a double dose.
Administration: Doses can be given at any time of the day with or without food, and should preferably be given in the evening.