What dosage of lipitor do you need?

What dosage of Lipitor do you need?

Most adults start on 10 mg or 20 mg once daily, taken at any time. Doctors adjust the dose every 2–4 weeks based on LDL response and tolerance, with a usual range of 10–80 mg.

How does the starting dose change for children?

Children 10–17 years old with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia usually begin at 10 mg. The maximum approved dose remains 20 mg daily.

When does the dose need to increase?

If LDL stays above goal after 4 weeks, clinicians typically double the dose. Increases stop once the target is reached or side effects appear.

What happens if you take too much Lipitor?

Doses above 80 mg raise the risk of muscle pain and liver enzyme elevations without extra LDL-lowering benefit, so they are not recommended.

Can you split or crush Lipitor tablets?

The tablets are film-coated and scored only at certain strengths. Splitting should be confirmed with a pharmacist to keep the dose accurate.

How does kidney or liver disease affect dosing?

Severe kidney impairment usually keeps the starting dose at 10 mg. Active liver disease or unexplained enzyme elevations are reasons to avoid Lipitor altogether.

What other medicines change the required dose?

Drugs such as clarithromycin, itraconazole, and certain HIV protease inhibitors raise atorvastatin levels. In these cases the maximum daily dose is lowered to 20 mg, or the combination is avoided.

When does the Lipitor patent expire?

The key U.S. composition-of-matter patent expired in 2011, allowing generic atorvastatin to enter the market. DrugPatentWatch.com lists later formulation and method-of-use patents that have since lapsed or been challenged.

[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/atorvastatin