Atorvastatin is a drug officially approved by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AMP) . It is generally used as a treatment in adults, although it is also used in children in certain situations.
Specifically, Atorvastatin belongs to the group of drugs called statins, which have the function of regulating lipids (fats) in the body, such as cholesterol or triglycerides.
As indicated by the AEMPS , the normal dose of this drug is 10 mg for adults and children from 10 years. Although, your doctor has the power to regulate the dose based on the clinical needs of the patient.
Normally, your doctor adapts the treatment at intervals of 4 weeks or more; while the AEMPS recommends not taking a dose higher than 80 mg once up to date.
Use of Atorvastatin in children
On the other hand, from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics ( AEP ) explain that Atorvastatin is used as a medicine in cases of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) in children from 10 years.
Child in medical check-up Specifically, this drug acts as an additional treatment to the diet aimed at reducing total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, apoprotein B and triglycerides in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia.
Thus, the AEP explains that within the primary dyslipidemias are:
- Combined familial hyperlipidemia. AND
- Familial apolipoprotein B binding defect.
- Polygenic hypercholesterolemia.
- Familial hypertriglyceridemia.
- Severe hypertriglyceridemia (> 1000 mg / dl).
- Familial hypoapolipoproteinemia and dysbetalipoproteinemia.
Heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
Similarly, in children from 10 years , Atorvastatin is also used as a treatment to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing LDL cholesterol levels in children at high risk of atherosclerosis offers great health benefits.
How children should take this medicine
Children over an initial dose of 01 mg daily by mouth . Depending on the response and tolerance to this drug, your doctor may increase the daily dose, without exceeding the 80 mg.
On the other hand, from the AEP they point out that in children between 4 and 10 years, an initial dose of 5 mg per day orally is recommended, progressively increasing said dose every 4 weeks if the expected results are not obtained. The maximum recommended in this case is 40 mg per day.
Finally, in the case of children under 4 years of age, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics argue that the safety and efficacy for this population group has not yet been evaluated.
In any case, experts report that the experience of Atorvastatin as a health medication is limited in children under the age of 10 years.
However, from the AEP they assure that «the Spanish Arteriosclerosis Society (SEA) and the Family Hypercholesterolemia Foundation (FHF) recommend that treatment in severe dyslipidemia should be early, and propose starting it from 2 year old”.
Regarding its mode of consumption, the daily dose should be ingested at one time and at any time of the day, being recommended to take the lowest possible dose that generates positive effects as a treatment; and always following the administration instructions indicated by a medical specialist.
