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Atorvastatin Calcium and PCE Dispertab

Determining the interaction of Atorvastatin Calcium and PCE Dispertab and the possibility of their joint administration.

Check result:
Atorvastatin Calcium <> PCE Dispertab
Relevance: 19.09.2022 Reviewer: Shkutko P.M., M.D., in

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Consumer:

Talk to your doctor before using atorvastatin together with erythromycin. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of atorvastatin. This can increase the risk of side effects such as liver damage and a rare but serious condition called rhabdomyolysis that involves the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. In some cases, rhabdomyolysis can cause kidney damage and even death. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications, or your doctor may prescribe alternative medications that do not interact. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness during treatment with atorvastatin or similar medications, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by fever or dark colored urine. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes, as these may be signs and symptoms of liver damage. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Professional:

ADJUST DOSE: Some macrolide antibiotics inhibit CYP450 3A4 and may elevate the plasma concentrations of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are metabolized by the isoenzyme. Macrolides that may significantly inhibit CYP450 3A4 include troleandomycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin. There have been case reports of patients treated with lovastatin or simvastatin who developed severe myopathy or rhabdomyolysis following the addition of a macrolide, usually erythromycin. Plasma levels of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity were significantly elevated in these patients, up to severalfold in many cases. Similar pharmacokinetic changes have been reported in studies with erythromycin and simvastatin and, to a lesser extent, with clarithromycin or erythromycin and atorvastatin. The interaction was also suspected in a patient treated with atorvastatin (more than 1 year) and esomeprazole (6 weeks) who developed rhabdomyolysis with AV block two days after the addition of clarithromycin. The patient reported experiencing symptoms of increased fatigue, mild chest pain, and shortness of breath that coincided with the initiation of esomeprazole approximately six weeks prior to admission.

MANAGEMENT: The benefits of using HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are metabolized by CYP450 3A4 in combination with medications that can inhibit the isoenzyme such as clarithromycin and erythromycin should be carefully weighed against the potentially increased risk of myopathy including rhabdomyolysis. A lower dosage of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor should be considered if concomitant use is required. Atorvastatin labeling recommends that the dosage not exceed 20 mg/day when used in combination with clarithromycin. Fluvastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin may be safer alternatives, since they are not metabolized by CYP450 3A4. All patients receiving statin therapy should be advised to promptly report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, particularly if accompanied by fever, malaise and/or dark colored urine. Therapy should be discontinued if creatine kinase is markedly elevated in the absence of strenuous exercise or if myopathy is otherwise suspected or diagnosed.

References
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Atorvastatin Calcium

Generic Name: atorvastatin

Brand name: Lipitor

Synonyms: Atorvastatin, AtorvaSTATin

PCE Dispertab

Generic Name: erythromycin

Brand name: EES. Granules, EES-400 Filmtab, EryPed 200, EryPed 400, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin Lactobionate, Erythrocin Stearate Filmtab, PCE Dispertab, E. E. S, EryPed, Erythrocin, Erythromycin Filmtabs, Erythromycin Lactobionate - IV

Synonyms: PCE Dispertab (Oral), PCE, PCE (Oral)

In the course of checking the drug compatibility and interactions, data from the following reference sources was used: Drugs.com, Rxlist.com, Webmd.com, Medscape.com.

Interaction with food and lifestyle
Disease interaction