Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Lipitor is a brand name of Atorvastatin, one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Atorvastatin belongs to the statin family of drugs, which react with specific enzymes in order to lower cholesterol in the body. Lipitor/atorvastatin inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that "converts 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of sterols" like cholesterol ("Lipior," n.d.).
Elevated plasma levels of total cholesterol (both LDL-cholesterol or LDL-C and HDL) as well as levels of apolipoprotein B (apo B) are known precursors or risk factors in human atherosclerosis and are risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. By reducing the amount of cholesterol in plasma as well as in the liver, the drug helps to prevent atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Lipitor is effective in addressing elevated cholesterol due to hereditary hypercholesterolemia, as well as nonfamilial types. Lipitor is indicated for patients with increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and angina.
The drug is primarily active in the liver, which is the primary site of cholesterol synthesis ("Lipitor," n.d.). After metabolism in the liver, Lipitor and its metabolites are eliminated in bile. Very little of the drug is eliminated in urine. The "mean plasma elimination half-life of Lipitor in humans...
Ideally, Lipitor is an adjunct to diet, but it can also be effective for patients whose cholesterol levels do not respond to dietary changes.
Lipitor is taken orally, and is rapidly absorbed; "maximum plasma concentrations occur within 1 to 2 hours," ("Lipitor," n.d.). Starting dose is 10-20mg taken once per day, but can be prescribed up to 80mg per day depending on the patient's response. The drug can be taken with or without food; food only slightly inhibits the rate of absorption but not the overall effectiveness of the drug in LDL-C reduction ("Lipitor," n.d.). Metabolism of Lipitor is rapid and relatively thorough, as it is "extensively metabolized to ortho -- and parahydroxylated derivatives and various beta-oxidation products," ("Lipitor," n.d.). The drug works by "increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors on the cell surface to enhance uptake and catabolism of LDL," ("Lipitor," n.d.).
"The absolute bioavailability of atorvastatin (parent drug) is approximately 14% and the systemic availability of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity is approximately 30%," ("Lipitor," n.d.). In terms of distribution, " LIPITOR is ? 98% bound…
Reference
"Lipitor," (n.d.). RXList. Retrieved online: http://www.rxlist.com/lipitor-drug/clinical-pharmacology.htm
Interactions: the patient had informed me about his medical history and his psychological state so as to compensate and recommend the best possible drug dosage. Nursing implications: This drug has mild side effects. However, the patient was still advised to consult me if any unusual problems occurred. Client Implications: the eye irritation caused by swimming had been completely cured. Patient Education: the patient had been instructed to ensure regularity in all his appointments 9.
Pharmacology: Moclobemide Moclobemide is classified as an antidepressant, a MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor. Antidepressants are designed to inhibit the reuptake or reabsorbtion of specific neurotransmitters, increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters around the nerves of the brain (Gbemudu, 2011:1). Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) are often called 'feel good' chemicals that elevate the patient's mood. Drug class A deficit of mood-enhancing chemicals is associated with depression, although there is no
Pharmacology DVT: In the legs, there are two kinds of veins, namely, deep and superficial. The deep veins pass through the middle of the leg, enclosed by the muscles. A blood clot or thrombus that crops up in the deep veins of the leg is called a Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. Blood clot, and hence DVT, can arise due to slowing down or stoppage of blood or due to damage of
Pharmacology of Beta Lactam Antibiotics Beta Lactam Antibiotics This class of antibiotic agents, including penicillin derivatives, (penams), cephalosporins (cephems), monobactams, and carbapenems, is the most widely used antibiotic. In fact, more than half of the antibiotics that were commercially sold in 2003 were ?-lactam compounds. Beta lactam antibiotics are characterized by a molecular ?-lactam ring structure (Drawz & Bonomo, 2010). The beta lactam antibiotics inhibit the biosynthesis of the cell walls of
Nevertheless, an unscheduled PT test performed in the ER during her second visit provided markedly different results indicating a prolonged coagulation time despite no known changes to the patient's medication regimen or diet. As a result of the results of the PT test performed in the ER, her physician lowered her daily dosage of Coumadin to 2 milligrams per day, with instructions to repeat PT testing weekly for the time
Pharmacology for Nurses Pharmacology, the study of drugs and their effects on the human body, is a critical component of nursing education and practice. Nurses must have a sound understanding of pharmacology to safely administer medications and monitor their effects on patients. This foundation allows nurses to play a pivotal role in medication management and patient education (Burchum & Rosenthal, 2021). Knowledge of pharmacology enables nurses to understand why certain medications