Atorvastatin Dispensing Quantity
Atorvastatin is typically dispensed as a 30-day supply (30 tablets) for once-daily dosing, though 90-day supplies (90 tablets) are commonly provided for maintenance therapy to improve adherence and reduce costs. 1
Standard Dispensing Practice
- Atorvastatin is administered once daily, with or without food, making the dispensing quantity directly tied to the duration of therapy prescribed 1
- The FDA-approved dosing regimen specifies once-daily administration across all dose strengths (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg) 1
- Initial prescriptions commonly provide 30 tablets (one month supply) to allow for early assessment of tolerability and efficacy 1
Monitoring and Refill Considerations
- LDL-C should be assessed as early as 4 weeks after initiating therapy, which aligns with the typical 30-day initial dispensing quantity 1
- After the initial assessment period, 90-day supplies are frequently dispensed for stable patients to improve medication adherence and reduce pharmacy visits 2
- The American Diabetes Association recommends checking lipid panels 4-12 weeks after initiation or dose changes, supporting the 30-day initial supply approach 2
Dose-Specific Dispensing
- All atorvastatin doses (10-80 mg) are taken once daily, so the number of tablets dispensed equals the number of days of therapy regardless of dose strength 1
- For patients requiring dose titration, initial 30-day supplies allow for reassessment before committing to larger quantities 3
- The dose range of 10-80 mg daily means patients receive the same number of tablets but at different strengths depending on their LDL-C reduction needs 2, 1
Cost and Adherence Factors
While some research has explored alternate-day dosing to reduce costs 4, 5, the FDA-approved regimen and all major guidelines specify daily administration 1, 2. Dispensing practices should follow the approved once-daily dosing schedule.