What does atorvastatin calcium (statin) on my medication label mean?

Explaining Atorvastatin Calcium on Medication Labels

Atorvastatin calcium is simply the chemical form of atorvastatin that is used in medications - it's the same medication as "atorvastatin" and works the same way to lower cholesterol. 1

What This Means for Patients

• Atorvastatin calcium is the full chemical name for the medication commonly known as atorvastatin, which belongs to the statin class of medications 1
• The "calcium" part refers to the salt form of the drug, which makes it more stable and better absorbed by your body 2
• This naming convention is standard in pharmaceutical labeling and doesn't change how the medication works in your body 1
• The term "statin" indicates it belongs to a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which work by blocking an enzyme needed to make cholesterol 1

Clinical Information About Atorvastatin

• Atorvastatin calcium is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that lowers LDL cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver 2
• It's available in various strengths (10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg) to accommodate different treatment needs 1
• High-intensity doses (40-80mg) can reduce LDL cholesterol by ≥50%, while moderate-intensity doses (10-20mg) reduce LDL cholesterol by 30-49% 3
• Atorvastatin has a longer half-life (approximately 14 hours) compared to many other statins, allowing for once-daily dosing 3

Common Uses

• Reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain types of heart surgery in adults with multiple risk factors for heart disease 1
• Lowering LDL cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia 1
• Treatment of adults and children (10 years and older) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia 1
• Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and primary dysbetalipoproteinemia 1

Important Safety Considerations

• Like all statins, atorvastatin calcium may cause muscle-related side effects, including myopathy and rhabdomyolysis in rare cases 1
• Risk factors for muscle problems include age over 65, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, kidney impairment, and certain drug interactions 1
• Atorvastatin is generally well tolerated across its therapeutic dosage range, with only a slightly higher rate of liver enzyme elevations at the highest dose (80mg/day) 4
• Patients should report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness to their healthcare provider 1

Drug Interactions

• Atorvastatin calcium can interact with certain medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme system, which is involved in its metabolism 3
• When used with fibrates (especially gemfibrozil), there's an increased risk of muscle-related side effects 3
• Other potential interactions include certain antibiotics, antifungals, and medications for HIV/AIDS 1
• Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements 1

Remember that your medication is the same whether it's labeled as "atorvastatin" or "atorvastatin calcium" - the calcium part simply refers to the specific salt form used in the formulation.