atorvastatin (Lipitor)

following an abbreviated submission

Atorvastatin chewable tablets (Lipitor®) is accepted for use in NHS Scotland

Indication under review: as an adjunct to diet for reduction of elevated total cholesterol (total-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides in adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years or older with primary hypercholesterolaemia including familial hypercholesterolaemia (heterozygous variant) or combined (mixed) hyperlipidaemia (Corresponding to Types IIa and IIb of the Fredrickson classification) when response to diet and other nonpharmacological measures is inadequate;  to reduce total-C and LDL-C in adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g. LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable; prevention of cardiovascular events in adult patients estimated to have a high risk for a first cardiovascular event, as an adjunct to correction of other risk factors.
 
 Atorvastatin chewable tablets have demonstrated bioequivalence to atorvastatin film-coated tablets (Lipitor ®) and are available at an equivalent cost.  However less expensive generic preparations of atorvastatin tablets are expected to become available in the near future.