subject: Lipitor and Its Generic Atrovastatin Can Help Reduce High Cholesterol Levels [print this page] Lipitor and Its Generic Atrovastatin Can Help Reduce High Cholesterol Levels
Lipitor and Its Generic Atrovastatin Can Help Reduce High Cholesterol Levels
Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., Lipitor (also known as generic Atorvastatin) is an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor', which is prescribed for patients with high cholesterol and other inherited cholesterol disorders. This medication is used to reduce the risk of heart attack in patients having symptoms associated with heart disease. It is also meant for high blood pressure patients who are at risk of heart disease and reduces the risk of complications in people who already have heart disease. As with most medications, a fitting exercise and diet regimen should be followed under a health expert's guidance.
How Lipitor Works
Lipitor deters an enzyme that is used to make cholesterol in the liver. By blocking that enzyme, less cholesterol is produced and the amount of cholesterol in the blood decreases. Lipitor also reduces the level of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol), and raises high density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good" cholesterol) levels. Lipitor is also recommended for reducing the incidence of heart attack and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Regular blood checks need to be done to ensure that Lipitor is reducing cholesterol levels, usually 2-4 weeks after commencing Lipitor. For best results, your health expert will suggest a low cholesterol diet in tandem with Lipitor dosage. Since our body produces most of its cholesterol at night, statins are generally more effective if taken at night, therefore plan to take Lipitor in the evening or night. Lipitor benefits people who have high levels of cholesterol either due to hereditary means or as a result of a high fat diet and lifestyle. Moreover, Lipitor also helps to reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries and other problems.
Side-Effects
Some of the most common side effects of this medication include:
Headache
Muscle & joint pain
Unexplained rash
Abdominal pain
Weakness/fever Allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing
Contra Indications
This medication should not be taken if patient is pregnant, breast-feeding, has active liver or kidney disease or unexplained increases in liver function tests, or drinks alcohol heavily.
Recommended Dosage
Lipitor is a tablet taken once daily with a glass of water, with or without food. It should be taken at the same time daily to maintain consistency.Dietary Instructions
People taking this drug should not drink grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can increase the levels of Lipitor in the blood, which can increase the risk of developing muscle problems. If you are being treated with Lipitor and want to continue drinking grapefruit juice, talk to your doctor about other cholesterol-lowering medications that you can take.
(Click Lipitor and Grapefruit for more information.)
As with any cholesterol medication, you should continue to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet as part of your program to lower cholesterol.
Dosing Information
The dose of Lipitor your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
Your age
The medical condition being treated
Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
(Click Lipitor Dosage for more information.)
Potential Side Effects of Lipitor
As with any medicine, side effects are associated with Lipitor, but not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the drug well. If people do develop Lipitor side effects, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Some of the most common side effects of this drug include:
Headache
Muscle pain (see Lipitor and Muscle Pain)
Diarrhea (see Lipitor and Diarrhea)
Joint pain (see Lipitor and Joint Pain)
Unexplained rash
Abdominal pain (stomach pain).
Also, keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, (especially if you also have a fever or feel ill), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Lipitor and Muscle Weakness).
(Click Lipitor Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
You can learn about specific side effects in the following eMedTV articles:
Lipitor Liver Side Effects
Lipitor and Muscle Aches
Lipitor and Memory Loss
Lipitor and Weight Gain.
Drug Interactions
Lipitor can potentially interact with a number of medicines (see Lipitor Drug Interactions for more information).
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Prior to taking Lipitor, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Liver disease or liver failure
Kidney disease or kidney failure
Allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Lipitor and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Lipitor and Breastfeeding)
Planning to undergo a procedure or surgery
Drinking alcohol frequently.
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Lipitor Precautions and Warnings for more information, including information on who should not take the drug.)
What If I Take an Overdose?
In the event you take too much Lipitor, seek medical attention immediately (see Lipitor Overdose for more information).
How Should Lipitor Be Stored?
Store the medication at room temperature, away from moisture. Keep Lipitor and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Lipitor as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Do not take a double dose.
Available Strengths
Several strengths of Lipitor tablets are available. These include:
Lipitor 10 mg
Lipitor 20 mg
Lipitor 40 mg
Lipitor 80 mg.
Is There a Generic Lipitor?
At this time, Lipitor is not available in generic form (see Generic Lipitor).
People taking this drug should not drink grapefruit juice as it can increase the levels of Lipitor in the blood, heightening the risk of developing muscle problems.
The recommended Lipitor dose for ranges from 10mg to 80mg daily, preferably in the evening. Children 10 to 17 years of age on Lipitor for inherited cholesterol disorders, are prescribed doses from 10mg to 20mg daily. Factors such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications will be taken into account before the doctor decides on the dosage. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible and then continue with regular scheduled dose. If it is almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with regular dosing schedule. Health experts do not recommend taking a double dose to make up for a missed one.
