Definition
ChEBI: Atorvastatin is a dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is a member of the drug class known as statins, used primarily for lowering blood cholesterol and for preventing cardiovascular diseases. It has a role as an environmental contaminant and a xenobiotic. It is an aromatic amide, a member of monofluorobenzenes, a statin (synthetic), a dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid and a member of pyrroles. It is functionally related to a heptanoic acid. It is a conjugate acid of an atorvastatin(1-).
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Anti-arrhythmics: concentration possibly increased
by dronedarone.
Antibacterials: azithromycin, erythromycin,
clarithromycin or fusidic acid possibly increased
risk of myopathy - avoid atorvastatin for at least
7 days after fusidic acid stopped; concentration
increased by clarithromycin - do not exceed 20 mg
of atorvastatin1
; avoid with telithromycin; increased
risk of myopathy with daptomycin; concentration
possibly reduced by rifampicin.
Anticoagulants: may transiently reduce anticoagulant
effect of warfarin.
Antifungals: increased risk of myopathy with
itraconazole - do not exceed 40 mg of atorvastatin1
;
increased risk of myopathy with fluconazole,
ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole and
possibly other imidazoles and triazoles - avoid.
Antivirals: increased risk of myopathy with
atazanavir, boceprevir (reduce atorvastatin dose),
and possibly darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir,
lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir or tipranavir (max
dose of atorvastatin 10 mg); concentration reduced
by efavirenz and possibly etravirine; avoid with
dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir and telaprevir;
possible increased risk of myopathy with ledipasvir
- reduce atorvastatin dose; concentration increased
by simeprevir - consider reducing atorvastatin
dose.
Calcium channel blockers: concentration increased
by diltiazem - increased risk of myopathy;
concentration of verapamil increased also possible
increased risk of myopathy - consider reducing
atorvastatin dose.
Ciclosporin: increased risk of myopathy - do not
exceed 10 mg of atorvastatin.1 Cobicistat: reduce atorvastatin dose.
Colchicine: possible increased risk of myopathy.
Grapefruit juice: concentration possibly increased.
Lipid lowering agents: increased risk of myopathy
with fibrates, gemfibrozil (avoid) and nicotinic acid.
Metabolism
Atorvastatin undergoes extensive presystemic clearance
in gastrointestinal mucosa and/or hepatic first-pass
metabolism. Atorvastatin is metabolised by cytochrome
P450 3A4 to ortho- and parahydroxylated derivatives
and various beta-oxidation products. These products are
further metabolised via glucuronidation. Approximately
70% of circulating inhibitory activity for HMG-CoA
reductase is attributed to active metabolites.
Atorvastatin is eliminated primarily in bile as active
metabolites following hepatic and/or extrahepatic
metabolism, but does not appear to undergo significant
enterohepatic recirculation.