Drug of the Day: Atorvastatin
📌 Drug Class: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) 📌 Used for: Cholesterol Control & Heart Disease Prevention 🔍 Introduction Atorvastatin is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for lowering high cholesterol levels. It plays a vital role in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases, making it extremely important in both clinical practice and pharmacy education. 🧪 Chemical Information Generic Name: Atorvastatin Molecular Formula: C₃₃H₃₅FN₂O₅ Molecular Weight: 558.64 g/mol Drug Category: Statins ⚙️ Mechanism of Action (MOA) Atorvastatin works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. This enzyme is responsible for cholesterol synthesis. 🔽 Effects: Decreases LDL cholesterol Decreases triglycerides Increases HDL cholesterol 💊 Therapeutic Uses ✔ Hypercholesterolemia ✔ Mixed dyslipidemia ✔ Prevention of coronary artery disease ✔ Secondary prevention after heart attack ⚠️ Common Side Effects Muscle pain (myalgia) Headache Nausea Mild el...