What is Lipitor?
Lipitor is a prescription medication primarily used to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Its active ingredient is atorvastatin calcium, which belongs to a class of drugs known as statins. Other drugs within this class include fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin. These medications all work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that plays a role in the production of cholesterol.
Lipitor is often prescribed to patients with high levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol. By reducing the amount of LDL in the bloodstream, Lipitor can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. It may also be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and exercise to manage cholesterol levels.
While Lipitor can be highly effective at reducing cholesterol levels, it may come with some potential risks and side effects. Some of the most common side effects reported by users include muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headache. Rare but serious side effects can also occur, such as liver problems and muscle breakdown.
It's important for patients on Lipitor to be monitored regularly by their doctor to ensure that the medication is working effectively and that side effects are being properly managed. In addition, it's important to follow a healthy lifestyle and diet while taking Lipitor to get the most benefit from the medication.
Overall, Lipitor can be a helpful medication for managing high cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. However, like any medication, it should only be taken after consulting with a healthcare professional and carefully weighing the risks and benefits for each individual patient.
Frequently Asked Questions about lipitor
Lipitor is a prescription drug used to lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart and blood vessel problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication in 1996.
VIATRIS ™, the maker of LIPITOR, is proud to offer the brand-name cholesterol medication that has been prescribed to over 29 million patients.
Lipitor is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.
Atorvastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, and this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Parke-Davis's Lipitor was discovered in the mid-to late 1980s and brought to market in 1997. Already ahead of it were four statins: Merck's Mevacor was released in September 1987 and Zocor in December 1991, Bristol-Myers Squibb's Pravachol in October 1991, and Sandoz's Lescol in March 1994.
Lipitor is a brand-name drug that contains the active drug atorvastatin, which is also available as a generic medication. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. It's considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Atorvastatin belongs to the group of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, and this reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Common side effects of Lipitor are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests, according to Pfizer Inc. The drug label also warns of serious side effects such as liver problems and muscle problems that can lead to kidney failure.
Atorvastatin is the generic form of the brand name medicine Lipitor. It's used together with a healthy lifestyle to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol) and triglyceride (a type of fat) levels in the blood and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL, the “good" cholesterol) levels.
Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.
Lipitor contains the active drug atorvastatin, which is classified as a statin. (A medication class is a group of medications that work together in a similar way.) Lipitor comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It's available in four strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.
