Lipitor Uses

How Does Lipitor Work?

Lipitor is part of a class of drugs called statins. 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. It also increases the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol. In addition, Lipitor increases HDL and decreases triglycerides.
 
These effects reduce the levels of the following forms of cholesterol and fats:
 
  • Total cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
  • Apo B (apolipoprotein B)
  • VLDL (very low density lipoprotein)
  • Triglycerides.
     
People taking Lipitor may experience an increase in HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol").
 
The main goal of any high cholesterol treatment is to lower your LDL cholesterol enough to reduce your risk for developing problems related to high cholesterol (see Effects of High Cholesterol). The higher your risk, the lower your LDL goal will be.
 
(Click High Cholesterol Risk to see what your risk is and what your LDL cholesterol level should be.)
 
Any cholesterol treatment begins with lifestyle changes (such as weight loss, diet, and exercise). If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in lowering cholesterol to the desired level, cholesterol medication such as Lipitor may be necessary.
 

Can Children Use Lipitor?

Lipitor has been approved to treat high cholesterol in children ages 10 to 17 with a condition known as heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. For adolescent girls, the medication is approved to be started after their first period, but no sooner.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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