Comprimidos de atorvastatina

About atorvastatin

Los lípidos, o grasas, se almacenan fácilmente en el organismo y sirven como fuente de energía. El colesterol es un tipo de lípido que se fabrica en el hígado a partir de los alimentos grasos ingeridos. Cuando la concentración de colesterol en la sangre es demasiado alta, se habla de hipercolesterolemia. Aunque un nivel alto de colesterol no le hará sentirse mal, puede causarle problemas si no se trata.

Las personas con hipercolesterolemia pueden desarrollar pequeñas manchas de grasa denominadas ateromas. Estas manchas se forman cuando se deposita un exceso de grasa en las paredes de los vasos sanguíneos. Con el tiempo, estas manchas pueden estrechar los vasos sanguíneos, lo que se conoce como aterosclerosis (a veces denominada "endurecimiento de las arterias"). El estrechamiento reduce el flujo sanguíneo a través de la arteria y aumenta el riesgo de padecer diversas enfermedades cardiacas y vasculares, como infarto de miocardio e ictus.

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines known as statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). It reduces the amount of cholesterol made by your body. It does this by blocking the action of a certain enzyme which is needed to make cholesterol. This lowers your risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Atorvastatin can also reduce the risk of heart disease in people who have an increased risk of it, even if their cholesterol levels are normal.

Before taking atorvastatin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking atorvastatin it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de su hígado o si ha padecido alguna enfermedad que haya afectado a su hígado.

• Si padece una enfermedad que causa debilidad muscular, llamada miastenia gravis.

• If you have a problem with unexplained muscle aches or pains.

• Si bebe regularmente grandes cantidades de alcohol.

• Si tiene una glándula tiroides hipoactiva.

• If you have previously had a stroke caused by bleeding into your brain.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take atorvastatin

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about atorvastatin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take atorvastatin once each day. There are several strengths of tablet available, so your doctor will tell you which strength is right for you.

• You can generally take atorvastatin at a time of day to suit you, but it is best to take your doses at the same time of day each day. You can take the tablets either before or after food.

• If you have been given atorvastatin chewable tablets, you can chew the tablets to help you swallow, or you can swallow them whole with a drink of water.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, sáltese la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so that your doctor can check on your progress. You will need to have blood tests from time to time. These are to measure your cholesterol level and also to check that your liver has not been affected by taking atorvastatin.

• Su médico le aconsejará que siga una dieta sana, reduzca la cantidad de alcohol que bebe normalmente, disminuya la cantidad de sal en su dieta, deje de fumar y haga ejercicio con regularidad. Seguir estos consejos también le ayudará a reducir el riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades del corazón y de los vasos sanguíneos.

• Do not drink more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice a day. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice can increase the amount of atorvastatin in your bloodstream, which can make side-effects more likely.

• Women taking atorvastatin must avoid getting pregnant. Make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner.

• Treatment with atorvastatin is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.

Can atorvastatin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with atorvastatin, although these tend to be mild. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store atorvastatin

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos