About Lipitor
The information below should not be taken as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking Lipitor.
Lipitor is a drug used to lower high cholesterol levels, more specifically, to lower the levels of LDL, or "bad cholesterol", decrease the levels of triglycerides, and increase the levels of HDL, or "good cholesterol" in the blood. High cholesterol levels are linked to increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease that can cause heart attacks or strokes. Lipitor is in the class of drugs known as statins. Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG CoA-reductase, which is involved in the synthesis of cholesterol. Lipitor lowers the risk for heart disease in susceptible individuals, such as patients with type 2 diabetes or preexisting coronary heart disease.
Take Lipitor once per day, at the same time every day, with or without a meal. Blood and liver function tests will need to be performed regularly for patients taking Lipitor, to monitor for liver and kidney problems and to see if the medication is helping to lower cholesterol levels. When taking Lipitor, try to eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol. Do not drink alcohol when taking Lipitor. Grapefruit and grapefruit products may interfere with Lipitor.
Side-effects of Lipitor include headache, insomnia, dizziness, muscle weakness, rash, chest pain, abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence. More serious side effects of Lipitor that require medical attention include liver problems and kidney problems, including kidney failure caused by breakdown of muscle tissue. This condition is called rhabdomyelisis. It is important that your doctor knows about any other medications you are taking, especially the following, because they can contribute to this rare condition: clarithomycin, erythromycin, azole fungal medications, diltiazem, gemfibrozil, fenofibric acid, fenofibrate, HIV medications, niacin-containing medications, or any immune-suppressing drug. Other medications can interact with Lipitor, so discuss any medication or supplement you are taking with your doctor.
| Form: |
Tablet taken orally. |
| Strength: |
10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg Tablets. |
| Storage: |
Room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. |
| Contraindications: |
Patients allergic to statin drugs, patients who are pregnant, patients with liver or kidney disease, patients with thyroid disorders. |
| Generic Name: |
Atorvastatin |
What is Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is the generic equivalent of Lipitor and can be purchased as a cheaper alternative to save money on your medication. The same active ingredients are used in the manufacturing of the brand name version of this drug as in Atorvastatin.
