📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Primary hypercholesterolaemia, or combined (mixed) hyperlipidaemia:*
Adult: 10-20 mg once daily at night, then increased if necessary up to 80 mg once daily, adjusted at intervals of at least 4 weeks, 80 mg dose only for those with severe hypercholesterolaemia and at high risk of cardiovascular events.
Children 5-10 yrs: Initially 10 mg at night increased, if necessary, at intervals of at least 4 week to max 20 mg at night; 10-18 yrs: Initially 10 mg at night increased, if necessary, at intervals of at least 4 wk to max 40 mg at night.
*Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia:*
Adult: Initially 40 mg once daily at night, then increased if necessary up to 80 mg once daily, adjusted at intervals of at least 4 weeks, 80 mg dose only for those with severe hypercholesterolaemia and at high risk of cardiovascular events.
*Prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus:*
Adult: Initially 20-40 mg once daily at night, increased if necessary up to 80 mg once daily, adjusted at intervals of at least 4 weeks.
⛔ Contraindications
Active liver disease, pregnancy
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Renal impairment, history of liver disease; perform liver function tests before and during treatment. Women must be protected by non-hormonal contraceptive methods
🔄 Drug Interactions
Digoxin, coumarin anticoagulants, cyclosporin, gemfibrozil and other fibrates, nicotinic acid, erythromycin, clarithromycin, macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals,
other CYP3A4 inhibitors, immunosuppressants, nefazodone, protease inhibitors, grapefruit juice.
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
Constipation, flatulence, headache, asthenia, nausea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain diarrhoea, rash, alopecia, dizziness, muscle cramps, myalgia, pancreatitis, paraesthesia, peripheral neuropathy, anaemia, hepatitis, jaundice. Rare: Rhabdomyolysis, myopathy; measure
creatine phosphokinase levels; withdraw therapy if markedly raised.
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation Safety
Pregnancy Risk:
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Lactation / Breastfeeding:
Not recommended.