RNpedia.

com
“Nursing Notes and Community”
Drug Name Dosages Therapeutic Actions Indications Adverse effects Contraindications Nursing considerations
atorvastatin ADULTS Inhibits HMG-CoA • Adjunct to diet in • CNS: • Contraindicated CLINICAL ALERT!
calcium reductase, the treatment of Headache, with allergy to
(ah tor' va • Initially, 10 mg enzyme that elevated total asthenia atorvastatin, • Name confusion has been
stah tin) PO once daily catalyzes the first cholesterol, serum • GI: fungal reported between written
Lipitor without regard step in the triglycerides, and Flatulence, byproducts, orders for Lipitor
to meals; for cholesterol LDL cholesterol in abdominal active liver (atorvastatin) and Zyrtec
Pregnancy maintenance, synthesis pathway, patients with primary pain, cramps, disease or (certirizine). Use extreme
Category X 10–80 mg PO resulting in a hypercholesterolemi constipation, unexplained and caution.
daily. May be decrease in serum a (types IIa and IIb) nausea, persistent
Drug combined with cholesterol, serum and mixed dyspepsia, elevations of Assessment
classes bile acid– LDLs (associated dyslipidemia, heartburn, transaminase
binding resin. with increased risk primary liver failure levels,
of CAD), and dysbetalipoproteine • Respiratory: pregnancy, • History: Allergy to
• Antihyper
increases serum mia, and Sinusitis, lactation. atorvastatin, fungal
lipidemic PEDIATRIC
HDLs (associated homozygous familial pharyngitis • Use cautiously byproducts; active hepatic
• HMG- PATIENTS 10–17
with decreased risk hypercholesterolemi with impaired disease; acute serious
CoA YR • Other:
of CAD); increases a whose response to endocrine illness; pregnancy, lactation
reductase Rhabdomyoly
hepatic LDL dietary restriction of sis with acute function. • Physical: Orientation, affect,
inhibitor • Initially, 10 mg recapture sites, saturated fat and muscle strength; liver
renal failure,
PO daily. enhances reuptake cholesterol and other evaluation, abdominal
arthralgia,
Maximum, 20 and catabolism of nonpharmacologic examination; lipid studies,
myalgia
mg/day; do not LDL; lowers measures has not LFTs, renal function tests
change dose triglyceride levels. been adequate
of intervals < 4 • To increase HDL-C Interventions
wk. in patients with
primary • Obtain LFTs as a baseline
hypercholesterolemi and periodically during
a and mixed therapy; discontinue drug if
dyslipidemia AST or ALT levels increase
• Adjunct to diet to to 3 times normal levels.
treat elevated serum • WARNING: Withhold
triglyceride levels atorvastatin in any acute,
• Adjunct to diet in serious condition (severe
treatment of boys infection, hypotension,
and postmenarchal major surgery, trauma,
girls ages 10–17 severe metabolic or
with heterozygous endocrine disorder,
familial seizures) that may suggest
cholesterolemia if myopathy or serve as risk
diet alone is not factor for development of
adequate to control renal failure.
lipid levels and LDL- • Ensure that patient has tried
C levels are > 190
RNpedia.com
“Nursing Notes and Community”
mg/dL or if LDL-C cholesterol-lowering diet
level is > 160 mg/dL regimen for 3–6 mo before
and there is a family beginning therapy.
history of premature • Administer drug without
CV disease or the regard to food, but at same
child has two or time each day.
more risk factors for • Atorvastatin may be
the development of combined with a bile acid–
coronary disease binding agent. Do not
• Prevention of CV combine with other HMG-
disease in adults CoA reductase inhibitors or
without clinically fibrates.
evident coronary • Consult dietitian about low-
disease but with cholesterol diets.
multiple risk factors • WARNING: Ensure that
for CAD such as age patient is not pregnant and
> 55 yr, smoking, has appropriate
hypertension, low contraceptives available
HDL-C, family during therapy; serious fetal
history of early CAD; damage has been
to reduce the risk of associated with this drug.
MI and risk for
revascularization
Teaching points
procedures and
angina
• Take this drug once a day,
at about the same time each
day, preferably in the
evening; may be taken with
food. Do not drink grapefruit
juice while taking this drug.
• Institute appropriate dietary
changes.
• Arrange to have periodic
blood tests while you are
taking this drug.
• Alert any health care
provider that you are on this
drug; it will need to be
discontinued if acute injury
or illness occurs.
• Do not become pregnant
while you are on this drug;
use barrier contraceptives. If
RNpedia.com
“Nursing Notes and Community”
you wish to become
pregnant or think you are
pregnant, consult your
health care provider.
• You may experience these
side effects: Nausea (eat
frequent small meals);
headache, muscle and joint
aches and pains (may
lessen over time).
• Report muscle pain,
weakness, tenderness;
malaise; fever; changes in
color of urine or stool;
swelling.

http://RNpedia.com- “Nursing Notes and Community”