ATORVASTATIN KERN PHARMA 40 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Leaflet: information for the user

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 10mg film-coated tablets EFG

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 20mg film-coated tablets EFG

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 30mg film-coated tablets

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 40mg film-coated tablets EFG

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 60mg film-coated tablets

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma 80mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before starting to take this medication, as it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medication has been prescribed to you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
• If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the leaflet

1. What is Atorvastatin Kern Pharma and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before taking Atorvastatin Kern Pharma
3. How to take Atorvastatin Kern Pharma
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Atorvastatin Kern Pharma
6. Package contents and additional information

1. What is Atorvastatin Kern Pharma and what is it used for

Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medications known as statins, which are medications that regulate lipids (fats).

Atorvastatin is used to reduce lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood when a low-fat diet and lifestyle changes have failed on their own. If you are at high risk of heart disease, atorvastatin may also be used to reduce this risk even if your cholesterol levels are normal. During treatment, you should follow a standard low-cholesterol diet.

2. What you need to know before taking Atorvastatin Kern Pharma

Do not take atorvastatin:

• if you are allergic to atorvastatin or any similar medication used to lower blood lipids or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6).
• if you have or have had any liver disease.
• if you have or have had unexplained abnormal results in blood tests for liver function.
• if you are a woman of childbearing age and do not use adequate contraceptive measures.
• if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
• if you are breastfeeding.
• if you use the combination of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir for the treatment of hepatitis C.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or nurse before starting to take atorvastatin:

• if you have severe respiratory failure.
• if you are taking or have taken in the last 7 days a medication called fusidic acid (an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections) orally or by injection. The combination of fusidic acid and atorvastatin can cause serious muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis).
• if you have had a previous stroke with bleeding in the brain, or have small fluid-filled sacs in the brain due to previous strokes.
• if you have kidney problems.
• if you have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
• if you have repeated or unexplained muscle pain, personal or family history of muscle problems.
• if you have had muscle problems during treatment with other medications to lower lipids (e.g., with another statin or fibrates).
• if you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.
• if you have a history of liver problems.
• if you are over 70 years old.
• If you have or have had myasthenia (a disease that causes generalized muscle weakness that, in some cases, affects the muscles used for breathing) or ocular myasthenia (a disease that causes weakness of the eye muscles), as statins can sometimes worsen the disease or cause myasthenia to appear (see section 4).

In any of these cases, your doctor may indicate that you should have blood tests before and, possibly, during treatment with atorvastatin to predict the risk of muscle-related side effects. It is known that the risk of muscle-related side effects (e.g., rhabdomyolysis) increases when certain medications are taken at the same time (see section 2 "Using Atorvastatin Kern Pharma with other medications").

Also, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you experience constant muscle weakness. Tests and additional medications may be necessary to diagnose and treat this problem.

While taking this medication, your doctor will monitor you for diabetes or the risk of developing diabetes. This risk of diabetes increases if you have high levels of sugar and fat in the blood, are overweight, and have high blood pressure.

Using atorvastatin with other medications

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medication.

There are some medications that can affect the proper functioning of atorvastatin or the effects of these medications may be modified by atorvastatin. This type of interaction can decrease the effect of one or both medications. Alternatively, this combined use can increase the risk or severity of side effects, including serious muscle damage, known as rhabdomyolysis, described in section 4:

• Medications used to modify the functioning of your immune system, such as cyclosporine.
• Certain antibiotics or antifungal medications, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, rifampicin, fusidic acid.
• Other medications to regulate lipid levels, such as gemfibrozil, other fibrates, colestipol.
• Certain calcium channel blockers used to treat angina or high blood pressure, such as amlodipine, diltiazem; medications to regulate your heart rate, such as digoxin, verapamil, amiodarone.
• Medications used to treat AIDS, such as ritonavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, indinavir, darunavir, tipranavir combined with ritonavir, etc.

• Some medications used to treat hepatitis C, such as telaprevir, boceprevir, and the combination of elbasvir/grazoprevir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.

• Letermovir, a medication that helps prevent diseases caused by cytomegalovirus.
• Other medications that are known to interact with atorvastatin include ezetimibe (which reduces cholesterol), warfarin (which reduces blood clotting), oral contraceptives, stiripentol (an anticonvulsant to treat epilepsy), cimetidine (used for heartburn and peptic ulcer), phenazone (a pain reliever), colchicine (used to treat gout), and antacids (indigestion products containing aluminum or magnesium)
• Over-the-counter medications: St. John's Wort.
• If you need to take oral fusidic acid to treat a bacterial infection, you will need to stop using this medication temporarily. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to restart treatment with atorvastatin. Taking atorvastatin in combination with fusidic acid can rarely cause muscle weakness, pain, or discomfort (rhabdomyolysis). For more information on rhabdomyolysis, see section 4.
• Daptomycin (a medication used to treat skin and skin structure infections with complications and bacteria in the blood).

Taking atorvastatin with food, drinks, and alcohol

See section 3 for instructions on how to take atorvastatin. Please note the following:

Grapefruit juice

Do not drink more than one or two small glasses of grapefruit juice per day, as large amounts of grapefruit juice can alter the effects of atorvastatin.

Alcohol

Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking this medication. See the details in section 2 "Warnings and precautions".

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

Do not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant.

Do not take atorvastatin if you are of childbearing age unless you use adequate contraceptive measures.

Do not take atorvastatin if you are breastfeeding your child.

The safety of atorvastatin during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.

Driving and using machines

Normally, this medication does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, do not drive if this medication affects your ability to drive. Do not operate tools or machines if this medication affects your ability to operate them.

Atorvastatin Kern Pharma contains lactose and sodium.

If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to certain sugars, consult with them before taking this medication.

This medication contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet, which is essentially "sodium-free".

3. How to take Atorvastatin Kern Pharma

Before starting treatment, your doctor will put you on a low-cholesterol diet, which you should also follow during treatment with atorvastatin.

The initial dose of atorvastatin is usually 10 mg once a day in adults and children from 10 years old. Your doctor may increase it if necessary until you reach the dose you need. Your doctor will adjust the dose at intervals of 4 weeks or more. The maximum dose of atorvastatin is 80 mg once a day.

The atorvastatin tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and can be taken at any time of day with or without food. However, try to take your tablet at the same time every day.

Follow the administration instructions for this medication exactly as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Your doctor will decide the duration of treatment with atorvastatin

Ask your doctor if you think the effect of Atorvastatin is too strong or too weak.

If you take more atorvastatin than you should

If you accidentally take too many atorvastatin tablets (more than your usual daily dose), consult your doctor or the nearest hospital or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount taken. Bring the remaining tablets, the box, and the complete package so that hospital staff can easily identify the medication you have taken.

If you forget to take atorvastatin

If you forget to take a dose, take the next scheduled dose at the correct time. Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If you interrupt treatment with atorvastatin

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication or want to interrupt treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

If you notice any of the following serious side effects or symptoms, stop taking these tablets and inform your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:

• Severe allergic reaction that causes swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, which can cause great difficulty breathing.

• Severe disease with severe peeling and inflammation of the skin; blisters on the skin, mouth, genitals, and eyes, and fever. Rash with pink-red spots, especially on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, which can form blisters.

• Muscle weakness, pain, or discomfort, muscle rupture, or brownish-red urine, and especially if you also have discomfort or have a high fever, may be due to abnormal muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis). Abnormal muscle breakdown does not always disappear, even after stopping atorvastatin, and can be fatal and cause kidney problems.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:

• If you experience bleeding or bruising problems, this may suggest a liver problem. You should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
• Lupus-like syndrome (including rash, joint disorders, and effects on blood cells).

Other possible side effects with atorvastatin:

Frequent: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• inflammation of the nasal passages, sore throat, nosebleeds
• allergic reactions
• increases in blood sugar levels (if you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar levels), increased creatine kinase in the blood
• headache
• nausea, constipation, gas, indigestion, diarrhea
• joint pain, muscle pain, and back pain
• blood test results that may show abnormal liver function

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• loss of appetite, weight gain, decreased blood sugar levels (if you are diabetic, you should continue to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels)
• nightmares, insomnia
• dizziness, numbness or tingling in the fingers of the hands and feet, reduced sensitivity to pain or touch, changes in taste, memory loss
• blurred vision
• ringing in the ears and/or head
• vomiting, belching, upper and lower abdominal pain, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas that causes stomach pain)
• hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• rash, skin rash, and itching, hives, hair loss
• neck pain, muscle fatigue
• fatigue, feeling unwell, weakness, chest pain, inflammation, especially in the ankles (edema), increased temperature
• positive urine tests for white blood cells

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• vision changes
• unexpected bleeding or bruising
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• tendon injury
• skin rash or ulcers in the mouth (drug-induced lichenoid reaction)
• purple-colored skin lesions (signs of inflammation of the blood vessels, vasculitis)

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• allergic reaction - symptoms may include sudden wheezing and chest pain or discomfort, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, collapse
• hearing loss
• gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men)

Frequency not known: cannot be estimated from available data:

• constant muscle weakness
• severe myasthenia (a disease that causes generalized muscle weakness that, in some cases, affects the muscles used for breathing).
• ocular myasthenia (a disease that causes weakness of the eye muscles).
• consult your doctor if you experience weakness in your arms or legs that worsens after periods of activity, double vision, or drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.

Possible side effects of some statins (medications of the same type):

• sexual difficulties
• depression
• respiratory problems such as persistent cough and/or difficulty breathing or fever
• diabetes. It is more likely if you have high levels of sugar and fat in the blood, are overweight, and have high blood pressure. Your doctor will monitor you while you are taking this medication

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medications: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.

5. Storage of Atorvastatin Kern Pharma

Keep this medication out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medication after the expiration date shown on the blister pack and carton after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

This medication does not require special storage conditions.

Medications should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point in your pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Container Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Atorvastatina Kern Pharma

• The active ingredient is atorvastatin calcium trihydrate

Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg of atorvastatin (as 10.83 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg of atorvastatin (as 21.66 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

Each film-coated tablet contains 30 mg of atorvastatin (as 32.49 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

Each film-coated tablet contains 40 mg of atorvastatin (as 43.32 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

Each film-coated tablet contains 60 mg of atorvastatin (as 64.98 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

Each film-coated tablet contains 80 mg of atorvastatin (as 86.64 mg atorvastatin calcium trihydrate).

• The other components (excipients) are:

Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous colloidal silica, microcrystalline cellulose PH 102, sodium croscarmellose, calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate. The coating material: lactose monohydrate, HPMC 2910/hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), and macrogol/PEG (E1521).

See section 2 Atorvastatina Kern Pharma contains lactose and sodium.

Appearance of Atorvastatina Kern Pharma and Container Contents

The 10 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, marked with a "T" on one face. Tablet dimensions: 5.6 ± 0.5 mm.

The 20 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, marked with "VT20" on one face. Tablet dimensions: 7.3 ± 0.5 mm.

The 30 mg tablets are white, oval, biconvex with a score on one face. Tablet dimensions: 13.0 x 7.5 ± 0.5 mm.

The 40 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, marked with "VT40" on one face. Tablet dimensions: 9.7 ± 0.5 mm.

The 60 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex. Tablet dimensions: 12.0 ± 0.5 mm.

The 80 mg tablets are white, oval, biconvex, marked with "VT80" on one face. Tablet dimensions: 20.1 x 8.8 ± 0.5 mm.

They are presented in aluminum/aluminum blisters.

Contents:

This medication is available in film-coated tablets of 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg.

All doses are available in cardboard boxes with blisters containing 14, 28, 30, 56, and 90 film-coated tablets.

Only some pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Kern Pharma, S.L.

Venus, 72 – Pol. Ind. Colón II

08228 Terrassa – Barcelona

Spain

Manufacturer

Galenicum Health, S.L.U

Sant Gabriel, 50

Esplugues de Llobregat

08950 Barcelona

Spain

or

SAG Manufacturing, S.L.U.

Crta. N-I, Km 36

28750 San Agustin de Guadalix, Madrid

Spain

This medicationis authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:

France – Atorvastatina Galenicun Health 10/20/40/80 mg film-coated tablet

Italy – Atorvastatina Galenicun Health 10/20/40/80 mg film-coated tablets

Portugal – Atorvastatina Pharmakern 10/20/30/40/60/80 mg film-coated tablet

Spain – Atorvastatina Kern Pharma 10/20/30/40/60/80 mg film-coated tablets

Malta – Atorvastatina Galenicun Health 10/20/30/40/60/80 mg film-coated tablets

Date of the last revision of this prospectus:May 2025..

Other sources of information

Detailed information about this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/