Lipitor: Salient Features

Lipitor is a cholesterol lowering drug that is marketed and manufactured by Pfizer Inc., one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world.

It was first approved for use by the FDA in 1996, and belongs to a class of drugs known as statins. Statins work by preventing the production of cholesterol in the liver.

They block the HMGCoA reductase enzyme which is responsible for making cholesterol, and lowers LDL cholesterol levels in the blood as well. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the ‘bad’ cholesterol; high levels of it can increase a person’s risk for heart disease or arteriosclerosis.

Lipitor’s generic name is atorvastatin and unlike other statins, it can also reduce the concentration of triglycerides in the blood. There is no generic substitute for Lipitor.

Available in oral tablet form, Lipitor is most effective when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. While on Lipitor most doctors also recommend a low-cholesterol, low-fat food plan. This kind of diet includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fresh fish, vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines.

Avoid foods with excess fat such as meat, egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese, palm oil, and fried foods.

Lipitor is generally well-tolerated, and its side effects are rare. Inform your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas or bloating
• stomach pain
• constipation
• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• dizziness
• sore throat
• weakness
• rash
• heartburn
• headaches

Some side effects can be serious.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
• lack of energy or fever
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

It is important that you not take Lipitor unless your doctor prescribes it. Lipitor should not be taken by patients who have or have had liver disease.

Lipitor if taken with alcohol can damage the liver; therefore it is important that you speak to your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, you can drink while on Lipitor.

Before taking Lipitor, it is important that you let your doctor know, if you;

• have a chronic muscular disease
• require major surgery
• have a blood disorder or
• drink alcohol

People on Lipitor need to have a liver function test before starting this drug. Your doctor will want to closely monitor your liver function and will periodically conduct LFTs (Liver Function Tests) every 6 months while you are on Lipitor.

Lipitor is an FDA pregnancy category X drug, which means it will cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Cholesterol is very important for the development of a baby.

Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy. It is not known whether Lipitor passes into breast milk, so do not take this medication without first talking speaking to your doctor.

Also do not take Lipitor if you are on any of the following drugs;

• cyclosporine
• gemfibrozil
• niacin
• clarithromycin
• erythromycin
• fluconazole

These drugs can interact with Lipitor to cause muscle damage.

Also be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking;

• any other cholesterol lowering drugs like Questran or Colestid or
• digoxin

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also interact with Lipitor. This interaction can have potentially dangerous effects.

Speak to your doctor about the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice and do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit in your diet without first speaking to your doctor first.