Medication Review: Lipitor

Lipitor (Atorvastatin) is a drug used to lower blood cholesterol and free floating fats called triglycerides. Lipitor lowers your bad cholesterol (LDL) between 39 and 60 percent, and raises good cholesterol (HDL) by approximately 9 percent. The bad cholesterol is what builds up in your blood vessels to cause plaque buildup and increases your risk of heart attacks. Lipitor helps to reduce this buildup. Lipitor also lowers triglycerides by 19 to 37 percent. Lipitor is prescribed when lifestyle changes alone, doesn't lower your cholesterol levels. It can be prescribed for children as well as adults. Children must be at least 10 years or older, however, it is important to stress that girls must have had their first menses prior to taking it.

Lipitor is taken orally every evening-the drug is most efficient if taken in the evening. You may take it with or without food. It may take 3 to 4 weeks for Lipitor to start working within your body to balance your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is important to keep taking this medication, even when you feel well. Lipitor lowers the LDLs allowing blood to flow easier through the blood vessels. If you were to stop taking the medication, you may start rebuilding plaque.

While taking Lipitor, your doctor or pharmacist may instruct you to avoid grapefruit. Certain drugs interact with grapefruit juice and become more potent in the blood stream. If your doctor doesn't say anything, be sure to read your paperwork that comes with your medication. There may also be a warning on your drug label to avoid grapefruit.

Certain side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and joint pain are possible, however, many people are not bothered enough to stop taking Lipitor. If you are taking Lipitor, your doctor prescribed it because the benefits outweigh the risks in your case. Be sure to remind your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription medications. Certain heart medications and birth control pills could alter liver enzymes if used in conjunction with Lipitor. Your doctor may still proceed to prescribe Lipitor, but he/she may also want to monitor your liver function as a precaution, and Lipitor should not be taken at all if you are taking certain antibiotics and antifungal medications. If you should develop an allergic reaction to Lipitor, such as rash, swelling, dizziness or become short of breath, or have difficulty breathing seek medical attention at once.

Alcohol should be limited or avoided entirely when taking Lipitor because alcohol may increase your risk of side effects. For women of childbearing age, it is important that they use birth control while using Lipitor, because there is a risk of the drug causing harm to the fetus. Mothers who want to breast feed will not be able to use Lipitor because it passes through mother's milk. A decision to bottle feed may need to be made if your doctor feels you need to take Lipitor after childbirth.

Lipitor is marketed by the Pfizer Company, and it is the most widely used drug to balance cholesterol levels. Lipitor comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strength tablets.
It is also sold under other names such as Sortis, Torvacard, Tulip, Liprimar and Xarator in other countries.

Sources:

Lipitor Official website
Web MD website