ATORVASTATIN

PFIZER
Atorvastatin calcium
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the
more common questions about
Atorvastatin Pfizer.
It does not contain all of the available
information. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or
pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and
benefits. Your doctor has weighed
the risks of you taking Atorvastatin
Pfizer against the benefits he/she
expects it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about
taking this medicine, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your
medicine.
You may need to read it again.

What ATORVASTATIN
PFIZER is used for
Atorvastatin Pfizer is used to lower
high cholesterol levels.
Atorvastatin Pfizer is also used to
help reduce the risk of having a heart
attack or stroke in people who have
high blood pressure and coronary
heart disease (CHD) or who are at
risk of CHD. Examples of risk
factors for CHD include diabetes, a
history of stroke, or small blood
vessel disease.

What is cholesterol?
Everyone has cholesterol in their
blood. It is a type of blood fat needed

ATORVASTATIN PFIZER

by the body for many things, such as

building the cell lining, making bile
acids (which help to digest food) and
some hormones. However, too much
cholesterol can be a problem.
Cholesterol is present in many foods
and is also made in your body by the
liver. If your body makes too much
cholesterol or you have too much
cholesterol in your diet, then your
level becomes too high.
High cholesterol is more likely to
occur with certain diseases or if you
have a family history of high
cholesterol.
There are different types of
cholesterol. LDL, or low-density
lipoprotein, is the 'bad' cholesterol
that can block your blood vessels.
HDL, or high density lipoprotein,
cholesterol is the 'good' cholesterol
that is thought to remove the bad
cholesterol from the blood vessels.
When you have high levels of 'bad'
cholesterol in your blood, it may
begin to 'stick' to the inside of your
blood vessels instead of being carried
to the parts of the body where it is
needed. Over time, this can form
hard areas, also called plaque, on the
walls of your blood vessels, making
it more difficult for the blood to flow.
Sometimes, the plaque can detach
from the vessel wall and float in the
bloodstream; it can then reach a
smaller vessel and completely block
it. This blocking of your blood
vessels can lead to several types of
blood vessel disease, heart attack,
angina and stroke.

triglyceride can be associated with a

low level of 'good' cholesterol and
may increase your risk of heart
disease.
In some patients, Atorvastatin Pfizer
is used to treat high cholesterol and
high triglycerides together.
In most people, there are no
symptoms of abnormal cholesterol or
triglyceride levels. Your doctor can
measure your levels with a simple
blood test.

How Atorvastatin Pfizer

works
Atorvastatin Pfizer belongs to a
group of medicines called HMGCoA reductase inhibitors. It works by
reducing the amount of cholesterol
made by the liver. Atorvastatin Pfizer
reduces the 'bad' cholesterol and can
raise the 'good' cholesterol.
Atorvastatin Pfizer also helps to
protect you from a heart attack or
stroke.
Ask your doctor if you have any
questions about why Atorvastatin
Pfizer has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it
for another reason.
Atorvastatin Pfizer is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with
a doctor's prescription.

There is another type of blood fat

called triglyceride, which is a source
of energy. However, high levels of

Before you take

ATORVASTATIN
PFIZER

Before you start to take it

Your doctor will ask you to have

your liver function tested before you
start to take Atorvastatin Pfizer.

digoxin, a medicine used to treat

some heart problems

diltiazem, a medicine used to

treat angina

When you must not take it

Tell your doctor if you have

allergies to any other medicines,
foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or

have had any of the following
medical conditions:

other medicines to treat high

cholesterol or triglycerides
including other brands that
contain the medicine atorvastatin

antacids, medicines used to treat

reflux or ulcers

liver problems

kidney problems

the antibiotics erythromycin,

clarithromycin, rifampicin or
fusidic acid

muscle pain, tenderness or

weakness from other medicines
used to treat high cholesterol or
triglycerides

phenytoin, a medicine used to

treat epilepsy (seizures)

oral contraceptives for birth

control

cyclosporin, a medicine used to

suppress the immune system

some medicines used to treat

some fungal infections, such as
itraconazole or ketoconazole

efavirenz and protease inhibitors

for the treatment of HIV infection

spironolactone, a medicine used

to treat high blood pressure and
certain types of swelling

vitamin B3.

Do not take Atorvastatin Pfizer if

you have an allergy to:

any medicine containing

atorvastatin

any of the ingredients listed at the

end of this leaflet.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic

reaction may include:

shortness of breath

wheezing or difficulty breathing

swelling of the face, lips, tongue

or other parts of the body

rash, itching or hives on the skin.

If you have had one of these

strokes before, this medicine may
increase the risk of you having a
haemorrhagic stroke.

Do not take Atorvastatin Pfizer if

you have active liver disease.
Do not take this medicine if you
are pregnant or intend to become
pregnant.
If you are a woman of childbearing age and are taking this
medicine, use a proven method of
birth control to avoid pregnancy.
The medicine may affect your
developing baby if you take it during
pregnancy.
Do not breast-feed if you are
taking this medicine.
The active ingredient in Atorvastatin
Pfizer may pass into breast milk and
affect your baby.
Do not take Atorvastatin Pfizer if
you are taking the antibiotic
fusidic acid which is used to treat
infections.
Do not take this medicine after the
expiry date printed on the pack or
if the packaging is torn or shows
signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return
it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether to start
taking Atorvastatin Pfizer, talk to
your doctor.

ATORVASTATIN PFIZER

a type of stroke called a

haemorrhagic stroke or a type of
stroke called a lacunar stroke

breathing problems.

Tell your doctor if you drink

alcohol regularly.
If you have not told your doctor
about any of the above, tell him/
her before you start taking
Atorvastatin Pfizer.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you are taking any other
medicines, including:

all prescription medicines

all medicines, vitamins, herbal

supplements or natural therapies
you buy without a prescription
from a pharmacy, supermarket,
naturopath or health food shop.

Some medicines may be affected by

Atorvastatin Pfizer or may affect
how well it works. You may need
different amounts of your medicines,
or you may need to take different
medicines. Your doctor will advise
you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you are taking any of the
following:

Your doctor and pharmacist have

more information on medicines to be
careful with or to avoid while taking
Atorvastatin Pfizer.

How to take
ATORVASTATIN
PFIZER
Follow all directions given to you
by your doctor and pharmacist
carefully.
These directions may differ from the
information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor will discuss with you the
need to be on a diet while you are
taking Atorvastatin Pfizer.
Follow your agreed diet plan
carefully.
If you do not understand the
instructions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many
tablets you need to take each day.
This may depend on your condition
and whether or not you are taking
any other medicines.
The usual dose of Atorvastatin Pfizer
is between 10-80 mg taken once a
day.

How to take it
Swallow the tablets whole with a full
glass of water. Do not chew or crush
the tablets.

When to take it

If you are not sure what to do, talk

to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering
to take your tablets, ask your
pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much

(overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor
or Poisons Information Centre
(telephone 13 11 26 ) for advice, or
go to Accident and Emergency at
the nearest hospital, if you think
that you or anyone else may have
taken too much Atorvastatin
Pfizer. Do this even if there are no
signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Things you must not do

Do not give Atorvastatin Pfizer to
anyone else, even if they have the
same condition as you.
Do not take Atorvastatin Pfizer to
treat any other complaints unless
your doctor tells you to.

Things to be careful of
Avoid drinking large quantities of
alcohol.
Drinking large quantities of alcohol
while taking Atorvastatin Pfizer may
increase your chance of getting liver
problems.
Avoid drinking large quantities of
grapefruit juice.

Atorvastatin Pfizer can be taken at

any time of the day. However, your
dose of Atorvastatin Pfizer should
be taken at about the same time
each day.

You may need urgent medical

attention.

Taking it at the same time each day

will have the best effect. It will also
help you to remember when to take
it.

While you are taking

ATORVASTATIN
PFIZER

Atorvastatin Pfizer can be taken with

or without food.

Things you must do

Drinking very large quantities (over

1.2 litres) of grapefruit juice each day
while taking Atorvastatin Pfizer
increases your chance of getting side
effects.

How long to take it

Keep all of your doctor's

appointments so that your progress
can be checked.

Be careful driving or operating

machinery until you know how
Atorvastatin Pfizer affects you.

Your doctor will ask you to have

your liver function tested from time
to time while you are taking
Atorvastatin Pfizer to make sure the
medicine is working and to prevent
unwanted side effects.

Atorvastatin Pfizer generally does

not cause any problems with your
ability to drive a car or operate
machinery. However, as with many
other medicines, Atorvastatin Pfizer
may cause dizziness in some people.

Your cholesterol and triglyceride

levels also need to be checked
regularly while you are taking this
medicine.

If you feel dizzy, do not drive,

operate machinery or do anything
else that could be dangerous.

Take Atorvastatin Pfizer every day

and continue taking it for as long
as your doctor tells you.
Atorvastatin Pfizer helps to lower
your levels of cholesterol, but it does
not cure your condition. It is
important to keep taking your
medicine even if you feel well. If you
stop taking Atorvastatin Pfizer, your
cholesterol levels may rise again.

If you forget to take it

If it is less than 12 hours before
your next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take your next dose
when you are meant to. Otherwise,
take it as soon as you remember,
and then go back to taking your
tablet as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make
up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you
getting an unwanted side effect.

ATORVASTATIN PFIZER

If you become pregnant while you

are taking Atorvastatin Pfizer, stop
taking it and contact your doctor
immediately.
If you are about to be started on
any new medicine, remind your
doctor and pharmacist that you
are taking Atorvastatin Pfizer.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and
pharmacists who treat you that
you are taking this medicine.

Grapefruit juice contains one or more

components that alter the metabolism
of some medicines, including
Atorvastatin Pfizer.

Things that would be helpful

for your condition
Some self-help measures suggested
below may assist your condition.
Your doctor or pharmacist can give
you more information about these
measures.

Weight: While you are taking

Atorvastatin Pfizer, you need to
follow a diet plan agreed to with
your doctor. This may include
measures to lose some weight.

Exercise: Regular exercise can

help lower your cholesterol
levels. It is important not to
overdo it. Before commencing
regular exercise you should
consult your doctor who will
suggest the most suitable exercise
for you. If you experience any
discomfort when exercising, see
your doctor.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake
can raise your cholesterol levels
or affect your liver function,
which could increase the chance
of you getting unwanted side
effects. Your doctor may discuss
with you whether you should
reduce the amount of alcohol you
drink.
Smoking: Smoking increases the
risk of you suffering from heart
problems. Your doctor may
advise you to stop smoking.

Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as
soon as possible if you do not feel
well while you are taking
Atorvastatin Pfizer.
All medicines can have side effects.
Sometimes they are serious, most of
the time they are not. You may need
medical treatment if you get some of
the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the list of
possible side effects.

unusual tiredness or weakness

headache

trouble sleeping

stuffy or runny nose

rash.

The above list includes the more

common side effects of your
medicine. They are usually mild and
short-lived.

Tell your doctor as soon as

possible if...
Tell your doctor as soon as possible
if you notice any of the following:

yellowing of the skin and eyes

and dark coloured urine

problems with breathing,

including shortness of breath,
persistent cough and fever.

These are serious side effects that

may require medical attention.
Serious side effects are rare.

Go to hospital if...
Tell your doctor immediately or go
to Accident and Emergency at
your nearest hospital if you notice
any of the following:

chest pain

unexpected muscle pain,

tenderness or weakness not
caused by exercise

sudden severe headache, which

may be accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, loss of sensation,
tingling in any part of the body or
ringing in the ears

You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to
answer any questions you may
have.

Tell your doctor if...

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you notice any of the following and
they worry you:

muscle and joint pain

constipation, diarrhoea

stomach or belly pain, nausea

(feeling sick)

heartburn, indigestion or wind

ATORVASTATIN PFIZER

symptoms of allergy such as skin

rash, itching, swelling of the face,
lips, mouth, tongue, throat or
neck which may cause difficulty
in swallowing or breathing

severe blisters and bleeding of the

lips, eyes, mouth, nose or
genitals.

The above list includes very serious

side effects. You may need urgent
medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor if you notice
anything else that is making you
feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above

may also occur in some people.

After taking
ATORVASTATIN
PFIZER
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister
pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the
blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep Atorvastatin Pfizer in a cool
dry place where the temperature
stays below 25C.
Do not store Atorvastatin Pfizer or
any other medicine in the
bathroom or near a sink. Do not
leave your tablets in the car or on
windowsills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some
medicines.
Keep your tablets where children
cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at least one-anda-half metres above the ground is a
good place to store medicines.

Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop
taking Atorvastatin Pfizer, or it
has passed its expiry date, ask your
pharmacist what to do with any
tablets that are left over.

Product description
What it looks like
Atorvastatin Pfizer tablets are
available in four strengths:

Atorvastatin Pfizer 10 mg - white,

round tablets marked with '10' on
one side and 'ATV' on the other.

Atorvastatin Pfizer 20 mg - white,

round tablets marked with '20' on
one side and 'ATV' on the other.

Atorvastatin Pfizer 40 mg - white,

round tablets marked with '40' on
one side and 'ATV' on the other.

Atorvastatin Pfizer 80 mg - white,

round tablets marked with '80' on
one side and 'ATV' on the other.

This leaflet was prepared in February

2012.
Registered

Trademark

Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd 2012

Atorvastatin Pfizer comes in blister

packs of 10 and 30 tablets and in
bottles of 90 tablets.

Ingredients
The active ingredient of Atorvastatin
Pfizer is atorvastatin.
The other ingredients are:

calcium carbonate

cellulose - microcrystalline

lactose

croscarmellose sodium

polysorbate 80

hydroxypropylcellulose

magnesium stearate

opadry white YS-1-7040

simethicone emulsion.

This medicine does not contain

gluten.

Supplier
Atorvastatin Pfizer is supplied in
Australia by:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 50 008 422 348
38-42 Wharf Road
West Ryde NSW 2114
Australia
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229

Australian Registration
Number
Atorvastatin Pfizer 10 mg tablets:
AUST R 182939
Atorvastatin Pfizer 20 mg tablets:
AUST R 182947
Atorvastatin Pfizer 40 mg tablets:
AUST R 182950
Atorvastatin Pfizer 80 mg tablets:
AUST R 182952

Date of preparation

ATORVASTATIN PFIZER