Lipitor

Lipitor is often prescribed to treat high cholesterol and high triglycerides. The medication is also used to help prevent cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs known as statins, which block an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production in the body. Potential side effects include headaches, muscle pain, diarrhea, and joint pain.

 

What Is Lipitor?

Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription medication used to treat a number of conditions related to heart disease. Approved uses for Lipitor include:
 
(Click Lipitor Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Lipitor is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.
 

How Does It Work?

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:
 
  • Increases the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol")
  • Increases HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol")
  • Decreases triglycerides.
     

What Are the Effects of Lipitor?

In general, cholesterol treatment begins with lifestyle changes (weight loss, exercise, and diet). If lifestyle changes alone do not lower cholesterol to a desirable level, cholesterol medication such as Lipitor may be necessary.
 
The main goal of high cholesterol medication is to lower LDL cholesterol levels enough to reduce your risk of developing problems related to high cholesterol, such as heart disease or a heart attack (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 level your LDL cholesterol level should be under.)
 
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. With 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:
 
  • Lipitor comes in tablet form; you take it once a day. Take your dose with a glass of water, with or without food.
     
  • Unlike many other cholesterol medications, it does not matter if you take your dose of Lipitor in the morning or at night; however, you should take it at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Lipitor will not work if you stop taking it.
      

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:
 
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:
 

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:
 
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:
 

Is There a Generic Lipitor?

At this time, Lipitor is not available in generic form (see Generic Lipitor).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;