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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əˌtɔːrvəˈstætən/ |
| Trade names | Lipitor, Sortis, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a600045 |
| License data |
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| Pregnancy category | |
| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| Drug class | Statin |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 12% |
| Metabolism | Liver (CYP3A4) |
| Elimination half-life | 14 hours |
| Excretion | Bile |
| Identifiers | |
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| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C33H35FN2O5 |
| Molar mass | 558.64 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
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Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipid levels.[2] For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2]
Common side effects include joint pain, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, and muscle pains.[2] Serious side effects may include rhabdomyolysis, liver problems, and diabetes.[2] Use during pregnancy may harm the baby.[2] Like all statins, atorvastatin works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme found in the liver that plays a role in producing cholesterol.[2]
Atorvastatin was patented in 1986, and approved for medical use in the United States in 1996.[2][4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines as an alternative to simvastatin.[5] It is available as a generic medication and is relatively inexpensive.[2][6] In 2018, it was the most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 112 million prescriptions.[7]