The medication is manufactured by Pfizer.
Lipitor has been licensed for several conditions. These uses include the:
Lipitor is part of a class of drugs called statins (or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors).
It works by blocking a particular enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. This causes the liver to make less cholesterol. The medication also:
What Are the Effects of Lipitor?
Because Lipitor can lower LDL cholesterol (along with lowering total cholesterol and increasing
HDL), taking the medication can lower a person's risk for developing cholesterol-related health problems.
In previous research studies, people taking Lipitor 10 mg were able to, on average, decrease LDL cholesterol by 39 percent, total cholesterol by 29 percent,
triglycerides by 19 percent, and
raise HDL by 6 percent. For higher dosages of the medication, the effect was even greater.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Lipitor include the following:
- It comes in tablet form; you take it once a day. Take your dose with a glass of water, with or without food.
- It does not matter if you take your dose in the morning or at night; however, you should take it at the same time each day, to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the tablets.
- For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
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.
The dosage 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 specifically instructed by your healthcare provider to do so.
Potential Side Effects of Lipitor
(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects associated with Lipitor. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with Lipitor, but not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When people do develop Lipitor side effects, in many cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by the patient or his or her healthcare provider.
The most common side effects of this drug are:
Also, keep in mind that if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, (especially if they are with a fever or if you feel ill), it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately
(see Lipitor and Muscle Weakness).
(Click Lipitor Side Effects to learn more about specific side effects of this medication. You can also learn about other possible side effects by clicking on:
Lipitor can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Starting Lipitor?
Before you start taking this medication, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Lipitor and Pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding
- Planning to undergo a procedure or surgery
- Drinking alcohol frequently.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
In the event of a Lipitor overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
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 next 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. Never take a double dose!
There are several strengths of Lipitor available. These include:
- Lipitor 10 mg
- Lipitor 20 mg
- Lipitor 40 mg
- Lipitor 80 mg.
Is There a Generic Lipitor?