Atorvastatin

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Atorvastatin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
[R-(R*, R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-beta, delta-dihydroxy-5- (1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4- [(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H- pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number 134523-00-5
ATC code C10AA05
PubChem 60823
DrugBank APRD00055
Chemical data
Formula C33H35FN2O5 
Mol. mass 558.64
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 12%
Metabolism Liver
Half life 14 hours
Excretion Bile
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

D(AU) X(US)
Legal status

Prescription Only (S4)(AU) POM(UK) ℞-only(US)
Routes oral

Atorvastatin (INN) (pronounced[help] /əˌtɔrvəˈstætən/), marketed under the trade name Lipitor and several others, is a member of the drug class known as statins, used for lowering cholesterol. Atorvastatin inhibits the rate-determining enzyme located in hepatic tissue that produces mevalonate, a small molecule used in the synthesis of cholesterol and other mevalonate derivatives. This lowers the amount of cholesterol produced which in turn lowers the total amount of LDL cholesterol.

With 2006 sales of US$12.9 billion under the brand name Lipitor, it is the largest selling drug in the world.[1]

A similar drug, simvastatin, is available as a cheaper generic alternative.[2][3]

Contents

Main article: Statin

As with other statins, atorvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Unlike most others, however, it is a completely synthetic compound. HMG-CoA reductase catalyzes the reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate, which is the rate-limiting step in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Inhibition of the enzyme decreases de novo cholesterol synthesis, increasing expression of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL receptors) on hepatocytes. This increases LDL uptake by the hepatocytes, decreasing the amount of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. Like other statins, atorvastatin also reduces blood levels of triglycerides and slightly increases levels of HDL-cholesterol.

In clinical trials, adding ezetimibe (Zetia) to Lipitor lowered cholesterol more effectively than Vytorin (ezetimibe + simvastatin).[citation needed].

Atorvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the treatment of dyslipidaemia, specifically hypercholesterolaemia. It has also been used in the treatment of combined hyperlipidemia.[4]

In 2005, the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial compared 40mg/day pravastatin with 80mg/day atorvastatin.[5] Taken directly from the results of the trial: "Standard treatment (statin) with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (pravastatin 40 mg/day) resulted in a 22% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels at 30 days compared with a 51% reduction with intensive therapy (atorvastatin 80 mg/day). At 2 years, a relative risk reduction of 16% (95% confidence interval, 5%-26%; P = 0.005) in the primary end point rate (death, myocardial infarction, documented unstable angina requiring hospitalization, coronary revascularization, or stroke) was seen in patients receiving intensive statin treatment compared with standard statin therapy. The benefit of intensive treatment was apparent as early as 30 days and was consistent over time. The PROVE IT-TIMI 22 data indicate that patients recently hospitalized for an ACS benefit from early and continued lowering of LDL cholesterol to levels substantially below current guideline recommendations."

Atorvastatin calcium tablets are currently marketed by Pfizer under the trade name Lipitor, in tablets (10, 20, 40 or 80 mg) for oral administration. Tablets are white, elliptical, and film coated. In some countries it may also be known as: Sortis, Torvast, Torvacard, Totalip, Tulip, Xarator, Atorpic, or Liprimar. It is also packaged in combination with other drugs, such as is the case with Pfizer's Caduet.

Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of patients) associated with atorvastatin therapy include: myalgia, mild transient gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, passing gas), elevated hepatic transaminase concentrations, headache, insomnia, joint pain, and/or dizziness.[4]

Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis occur in <0.1% of patients. Risk is increased in patients with renal impairment, serious concurrent illness; and/or concomitant use of drugs which inhibit CYP3A4.[4]

The size of the market for atorvastatin has prompted the generic drug manufacturing company Ranbaxy to challenge the validity of some of Pfizer's patents in patent courts across the world. As of March 2007, courts had mostly upheld the validity of Pfizer's original patent for atorvastatin, which is due to expire in European territories in 2011 (but 2007 in Canada). However a later patent for the specific enantiomer of the atorvastatin formula that is medically useful, which would have given Pfizer longer protection, has fared less well. Although upheld in the United States[6], Spain, and Ecuador, the enantiomer patent has been declared invalid by courts in Austria, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom[7].

After doctors and patients began switching to a cheaper generic alternative drug called simvastatin in the tens of thousands, Pfizer launched a campaign including advertisements, lobbying efforts, and a paid speaking tour by Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, a former secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, to discourage the trend.[2]

An independent analysis showed that, at commonly prescribed doses, atorvastatin and simvastatin have no statistically significant differences in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.[8]

  1. ^ Loftus, Peter. "Pfizer's Lipitor Patent Reissue Rejected", The Wall Street Journal Online, 2007-08-16. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. 
  2. ^ a b Saul, Stephanie; Alex Berenson (2007-11-03). Maker of Lipitor Digs In to Fight Generic Rival. The New York Times.
  3. ^ Hawkes, Nigel (2007-10-11). Statins are the right prescription. The Times (UK). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  4. ^ a b c Rossi S, editor. Australian Medicines Handbook 2006. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook; 2006. ISBN 0-9757919-2-3
  5. ^ Rouleau J (2005). "Improved outcome after acute coronary syndromes with an intensive versus standard lipid-lowering regimen: results from the Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22 (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) trial". Am. J. Med. 118 Suppl 12A: 28-35. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.014. PMID 16356805. 
  6. ^ BBC News, Patent ruling hits Ranbaxy shares, 19 December 2005
  7. ^ Duncan Bucknell, The global Lipitor patent scorecard, retrieved 2007-03-03
  8. ^ Zhou Z, Rahme E, Pilote L (2006). "Are statins created equal? Evidence from randomized trials of pravastatin, simvastatin, and atorvastatin for cardiovascular disease prevention". Am. Heart J. 151 (2): 273–81. doi:10.1016/j.ahj.2005.04.003. PMID 16442888. 

v • d • e
Lipid modifying agents (C10)
Statins Atorvastatin • Cerivastatin • Fluvastatin • Lovastatin • Mevastatin • Pitavastatin • Pravastatin • Rosuvastatin • Simvastatin
Fibrates Clofibrate • Bezafibrate • Aluminium clofibrate • Gemfibrozil • Fenofibrate • Simfibrate • Ronifibrate • Ciprofibrate • Etofibrate • Clofibride
Bile acid sequestrants Colestyramine • Colestipol • Colextran • Colesevelam
Niacin and derivatives Niceritrol • Niacin  • Nicofuranose • Aluminium nicotinate • Nicotinyl alcohol  • Acipimox
Other Dextrothyroxine • Probucol • Tiadenol • Benfluorex • Meglutol • Omega-3-triglycerides • Magnesium pyridoxal 5-phosphate glutamate • Policosanol • Ezetimibe
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atorvastatin"
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