INTRODUCTION

AVAS 5MG contains Atorvastatin, which belongs to a group of medicines called Statins. It is used to reduce high cholesterol levels in patients, including those who have certain inherited cholesterol disorders. Cholesterol gets builds up in your blood vessels leading to narrowing of blood vessels resulting in heart attack or stroke. AVAS 5MG is intended to reduce high cholesterol levels and is important to follow diet along with appropriate exercise, while taking medication. If you regularly drink grapefruit juice, talk to your doctor, since it may increase the amount of atorvastatin in the blood. Diabetic patients have to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while taking this medicine.

Before taking this medicine, it is better to let your doctor know if you are suffering from any heart, liver or kidney disease. Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine, if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant or breast feeding. The common side effects of AVAS 5MG includes headache, nausea, constipation, indigestion, diarrhoea and cold-like symptoms. This medicine has to be taken regularly and exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

USES OF AVAS 5MG

• Used to lower lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)

HOW AVAS 5MG WORKS

AVAS 5MG works by blocking an enzyme called HMG-CoA which is used to make cholesterol in the liver. When that enzyme is blocked less cholesterol is produced thus reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood. It lowers the level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol), and raises high density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol) levels.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Always take AVAS 5MG exactly as your doctor has told you. It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Try to take your tablet at the same time every day.

SIDE EFFECTS OF AVAS 5MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Feeling sick (nausea) or indigestion:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal and stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Headache:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.

Sore throat:

Try gargling with warm salty water (children shouldn't try this) or use paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease any pain or discomfort.

Constipation: 

Eat fibre rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• ciclosporin (used to suppress immune system)
• Antibiotics or antifungal medicines (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, rifampin, fusidic acid)
• gemfibrozil, other fibrates, colestipol and ezetimibe (used to reduce cholesterol)
• medicine used to treat heart problems like angina or high blood pressure (e.g. amlodipine, diltiazem) and irregular heart rhythm (e.g. digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone)
• medicines used to treat HIV (e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir, darunavir, tipranavir)
• medicines used to treat hepatitis C (e.g. telaprevir, boceprevir and the combination of elbasvir/grazoprevir)
• warfarin (which reduces blood clotting)
• oral contraceptives
• stiripentol (used for epilepsy)
• cimetidine (used for heartburn and peptic ulcers)
• phenazone (used to treat pain)
• colchicine (used to treat gout)

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits. Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT AVAS 5MG

Can AVAS 5MG interact with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can raise triglyceride levels and may increase your risk of liver damage.

Can I stop taking AVAS 5MG abruptly?

Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may result in another such problem.

Can AVAS 5MG affect blood pressure?

Atorvastatin lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and that the effect extends to patients with pre-hypertension. Kindly consult with your doctor.

Can AVAS 5MG be used in elderly patients?

People over the age of 65 years have a higher risk for muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) while taking atorvastatin. Kindly consult with your doctor.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi MD. Hypolipidaemic drugs and plasma expanders. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology 7th ed. New Delhi, May 2013. Page – 637.

2. Bersot TP. Drug Therapy for Hypercholesterolemia and Dyslipidemia. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. Page 893-98.

3. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. Page 104-105.

4. SK Ray, NN Rege. Atorvastatin: in the management of hyperlipidaemia. 2000, Vo 46, Issue - 3 [Accessed Sep 28, 2020] https://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2000;volume=46;issue=3;spage=242;epage=3;aulast=Ray  

5. Wockhardt UK Ltd, CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised July 2019] [Accessed Sep 28, 2020]  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2346.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Cholesterol - HDL
• Cholesterol - LDL
• Cholesterol - Total