Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of atorvastatin as follows:
- Atorvastatin inhibits a key enzyme needed for biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver cells.
- Consequently, the cells are deplete of cholesterol and LDL receptors are increasingly expressed on the cells, to help promote uptake of LDL cholesterol from the blood, which is degraded and utilized by the cells for their metabolic needs. Uptake of LDL cholesterol from the blood into the cells will result in reduced blood cholesterol levels.
- By reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, atorvastatin reduces the risk for atherosclerosis and plaque formation in the blood vessels.
- Formation of plaque can compromise blood supply to vital organs, such as, heart, brain, and kidneys, which can undermine their function.
- By reducing the risk for plaque formation, atorvastatin helps to prevent compromise of blood supply to vital organs. This can help prevent episodes of angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, and compromised renal function, and helps maintain their functional status.
- Reduced plaque deposition in the blood vessels also helps maintain optimum blood pressure and prevent episodes of hypertension, thus reducing workload on the heart and improving cardiac function.
