Indications of Vastocor 10 mg
Primary hypercholesterolemia (type IIa and IIb) in patients who have not responded adequately to diet and other appropriate measures. Coronary heart disease and elevated plasma cholesterol level.
Theropeutic Class
Other Anti-anginal & Anti-ischaemic drugs, Statins
Pharmacology
Vastocor 10 mg is a preparation of Vastocor 10 mg which acts as a Cholesterol lowering agent. The main mechanism of reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is that following inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity, the LDL receptor density on the liver cells is increased and this leads to an increased removal of LDL cholesterol from the plasma and increased catabolism of LDL cholesterol. In addition, there is a reduction in the very low- density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and reduced formation of LDL from VLDL. Vastocor 10 mg is extensively metabolised in the liver; which is also the main site of action of the drug.
Dosage & Administration of Vastocor 10 mg
The patient should be placed on a standard cholesterol lowering diet before receiving Vastocor 10 mg and should continue on this during treatment with Vastocor 10 mg. The usual starting dose is 10 mg/day given as a single dose in the evening. Adjustment of dosage, if required, should be made at intervals of not less than four weeks, to a maximum of 40 mg daily given as a single dose in the evening. If LDL-cholesterol levels fall below 2 mmol/L or total plasma cholesterol levels fall below 3.5 mmol/L consideration should be given to reducing the dose of Vastocor 10 mg. In hypercholesterolemia, the recommended starting dose is 5-10 mg once a day in the evening and the recommended dosing range is 5-40 mg per day as a single dose in the evening. In patients with coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia, the starting dose should be 20 mg once a day in the evening. Because Vastocor 10 mg does not undergo significant renal excretion, modification of dosage should not be necessary in patients with renal insufficiency. Safety and effectiveness in children and adolescents have not been established.
Dosage of Vastocor 10 mg
The patient should be placed on a standard cholesterol lowering diet before receiving Vastocor 10 mg and should continue on this during treatment with Vastocor 10 mg. The usual starting dose is 10 mg/day given as a single dose in the evening. Adjustment of dosage, if required, should be made at intervals of not less than four weeks, to a maximum of 40 mg daily given as a single dose in the evening. If LDL-cholesterol levels fall below 2 mmol/L or total plasma cholesterol levels fall below 3.5 mmol/L consideration should be given to reducing the dose of Vastocor 10 mg. In hypercholesterolemia, the recommended starting dose is 5-10 mg once a day in the evening and the recommended dosing range is 5-40 mg per day as a single dose in the evening. In patients with coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia, the starting dose should be 20 mg once a day in the evening. Because Vastocor 10 mg does not undergo significant renal excretion, modification of dosage should not be necessary in patients with renal insufficiency. Safety and effectiveness in children and adolescents have not been established.
Interaction of Vastocor 10 mg
Digoxin: Concomitant administration of Vastocor 10 mg and Digoxin in normal volunteers resulted in a slight elevation (less than 0.3 µgm/ml) in drug concentrations in plasma compared to concomitant administration of placebo and Digoxin. Coumarin derivatives: Slightly enhance the anticoagulant effect of Warfarin (mean changes in p rothrombin time less than two seconds) in normal volunteers maintained in a state of low therapeutic anticoagulation. Others: In clinical studies, Vastocor 10 mg was used concomitantly with ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and NSAIDs without evidence of clinically significant adverse interactions.
Contraindications
Vastocor 10 mg should not be used in-
Active liver disease
Pregnant and breast feeding mother
Women of child bearing age unless they have been adequately protected by contraception
Hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation
Patients with the homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia who have a complete absence of LDL receptors
Side Effects of Vastocor 10 mg
Vastocor 10 mg is generally well tolerated. Headache, fatigue, insomnia, gastrointestinal effects like nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, flatulence, dyspepsia, abdominal cramps and muscular effects like myalgia, myositis and myopathy have been reported. Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria have been associated with Vastocor 10 mg therapy. Hepatitis, pancreatitis, rash, Angio-oedema have also been reported. No potentially life threatening effects have been reported.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Category X: Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated foetal abnormalities or there is evidence of foetal risk based on human experience or both, and the risk of the use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit. The drug is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant.
Precautions & Warnings
If there is a history of liver disease
Who take high alcohol
Liver function test should be done before and during treatment
If serum transaminase rises three times the upper limit of normal, treatment should be discontinued
Avoid pregnancy during and for one month after treatment
Overdose Effects of Vastocor 10 mg
There are no data available on overdose. No antidote is available. General measures should be adopted and liver function should be monitored.
Storage Conditions
Store in a cool, dry place, Away from light keep out of reach of children.
Drug Classes
Other Anti-anginal & Anti-ischaemic drugs, Statins
Mode Of Action
Vastocor 10 mg is a preparation of Vastocor 10 mg which acts as a Cholesterol lowering agent. The main mechanism of reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is that following inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity, the LDL receptor density on the liver cells is increased and this leads to an increased removal of LDL cholesterol from the plasma and increased catabolism of LDL cholesterol. In addition, there is a reduction in the very low- density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and reduced formation of LDL from VLDL. Vastocor 10 mg is extensively metabolised in the liver; which is also the main site of action of the drug.
Pregnancy
Category X: Studies in animals or human beings have demonstrated foetal abnormalities or there is evidence of foetal risk based on human experience or both, and the risk of the use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweighs any possible benefit. The drug is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant.