Lipitor

Atorvastatin

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Lipitor

Lipitor is the name of the drug to be taken orally. It is intended to decrease the blood cholesterol level. The medication belongs to the statins drug class. This class also includes such drugs as lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin and etc. Any type of the statins medications disables cholesterol production in the human liver. It is prevented by blocking enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) – that usually produces cholesterol. Furthermore all statins decrease the cholesterol level in the whole body, even so called LDL cholesterol (that is “bad” cholesterol). Lipitor as well as other statins decreases the LDL cholesterol level and may stop and reverse the coronary artery disease that is commonly caused by this “bad” cholesterol type. As for the “good” cholesterol (HDL). It is also reduced by the any of the statins named above.

Theurapetic Uses of Lipitor

The medication is applied to treat the increased cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides level as well as to increase HDL cholesterol. The higher dose of the medication decreases the cholesterol level more than the lower dose.

This medication is also intended to prevent such diseases as angina, heart attack, stroke. It also decreases the possibility of the myocardial infarction, stroke, angina as well as revascularization procedures in those patients experiencing high risks of coronary artery disease development. The Lipitor also prevents such conditions as heart attacks and strokes in those patients experiencing diabet of the 2 type with high risks for coronary artery disease development.

Direction of Use of Lipitor

The drug should be taken orally one time a day no matter with or without food. However your doctor may direct you another dose schedule. The medication should be better taken in the evening. The drug dose should be adequate to your medical condition and conform the total therapy as well as other drugs interactions.

The medication should be taken regularly at the same time to get the best effect. However you may need 4 weeks for the effect to become apparent. Do not stop the treatment even in case you condition improved.

Dose of Lipitor, if Missed

The medication should be taken once a day. Commonly the initial dose is 10-20mg daily, and the maximal possible dose shouldn’t increase 80 mg daily. Those patients requiring more than 45% LDL reduction may start the treatment with the 40 mg daily dose. It is possible to take the medication before, within as well as after the meal and any time within the day.

In case you have missed the dose of the Lipitor then skip it and take the next dose according to your dosage schedule. Avoid taking two dosages at once.

How to Store Lipitor

The medication should be kept at the temperature between 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).

More Information About Lipitor

Lipitor should be taken only by those patients having prescription. Do not give the medication to the third persons. Consult your doctor in case you condition worsens or you have any questions about the Lipitor and its usage.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Lipitor

Below are the medication the Lipitor may interact with the drug below and cause muscle injury: erythromycin (E-Mycin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), nefazodone (Serzone), and HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir). Amiodarone (Cordarone), verapamil (Calan Verelan, Isoptin), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), niacin (Niacor, Niaspan, Slo-Niacin), gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor) also may contribute to the increased risk of muscle toxicity when uased along with Lipitor.

The medication should not be prescribed along with warfarin and digoxin, otherwise these patients are to be monitored thoroughly.

In case the Lipitor is combined with Cholestyramine treatment it should be taken in 2 hours before or 4 hours after the use of Cholestyramine.

Several medical conditions can react with Lipitor thus consult your health care provider in case experience one of the conditions below:

Pregnancy.
Planning to become pregnant.
Breast-feeding period.

Furthermore, the patients taking Lipitor should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit as these products may increase certain medications level in your blood.

In case you have any question or something in the drug usage remains unclear to you – consult your doctor.

Possible Adverse Effects of Lipitor

The medication commonly causes no side effects. However the patients taking it may experience: constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, headache, liver and muscle damage.
Any statins may cause abnormalities of the liver tests, thus it is advised to monitor the blood liver tests within the Lipitor therapy.
The use of the drug may cause muscles inflammation that in its turn lead to the breakdown of the muscles cells. So, in case you experience muscle pain, weakness or muscle tenderness – consult your doctor immediately to prevent the muscles cells breakdown.

Desease

Comments

13:55 25/08/10 I wonder what is lipitor chemical formula? I just think I have lipitor negative side effects but not sure it is caused by some of its components. I'd be glad to hear any information about lipitor and side effects of this medication.
10:53 22/08/10 Hello, I had a lipitor therapy period. Actually now I feel better but suppose I had something like lipitor unusual side effects. Well, I just wanted to ask does lipitor cause weight gain? Thanks in advance.
09:57 10/08/10 I look for any consumer reports concerning niacin vs lipitor. I used ms lipitor and get bad reaction. So I'd be glad to have any response about lipitor revenues and side effects of lipitor.
12:57 08/08/10 What are the possible lipitor revenues? I'm just trying to compare zocor versus lipitor as I experience lipitor caused throat irritation. So should I contact my doctor about stopping lipitor treatment because of lipitor dangers?
05:49 30/07/10 How can I get maximum lipitor revenues? I use lipitor half dosage according to the doctor's directions. Should I change my dosage schedule or increase dosage of generic lipitor to get max effeect of it?
07:42 28/07/10 Hi, I want to compare simcor vs lipitor. So I'm accumulating such information as lipitor adverse events, lipitor dangers and possibility of combining lipitor and surgery. I'd be glad to get any of the above mentioned information. Thanks.
12:22 20/07/10 What is the possible treatment for lipitor caused heart attack? Maybe the lipitor dosage should be reduced? Or is it better to stop taking lipitor at all?
06:03 18/07/10 Is it possible to take lipitor and isoprenoids at the same time? Or this may cause serious side effects of lipitor? If it so then please could you advise any lipitor substitute?
08:40 30/06/10 How long should I take the drug to get most lipitor revenues? And what is the sign for stopping lipitor therapy? Within my treatment period my doctor made some changes and decreased the use of the drug to lipitor half dosage. What it is caused by? Can you help please?
08:24 26/06/10 Good day. What is the generic name for lipitor? I just cannot buy lipitor in local drugstores. But I was advised to search for any lipitor substitute as there are such.
05:01 25/06/10 Hi, once I found here lipitor instruction for side effects and managed to get rid of some of them I got after taking lipitor 45. To be exact I had lipitor throat irritation. But now I know how to treat lipitor adverse effects and thank your team for the help.
11:42 14/06/10 Hi, what are the obvious lipitor revenues? Maybe it is better to replace this drug with certain substitute? For instance what is difference between zocor vs lipitor, or lipitor vs niacin? Are there any other lipitor substitutes?
10:23 31/05/10 I read it is not recommended to combine lipitor and alcohol as this may lead to lipitor serious side effects. I was prescribed to use lipitor for muscle aches and by chance combined it with alcohol. Should I stop therapy or search for any lipitor substitute?
12:24 25/05/10 Hi I was intersted in Lipitor chemical formula. Please let me know in case it is possible of course where I can get it. And what are the possible lipitor negative side effects?
04:03 16/05/10 I was prescribed to use lipitor but I heard that crestor would be best. So what can you say about crestor vs lipitor? What are the revenues of lipitor? And are there any lipitor dangers? Thanks in advance.
13:10 04/05/10 I experience lipitor body jerking. Should I stop taking lipitor? Or I may search for any other lipitor substitute? Is this one of lipitor side-effects? Or maybe it is something from lipitor unusual side effects?
13:29 25/04/10 hello, are there any known complications of lipitor? I got lipitor throat irritation after everal days of using the medication. So, it would be nice if you tell whether these are lipitor adverse events or not.
13:06 20/04/10 hi, my friend advised me to take lipitor to avoid throat irritation. However the situation just worsened. Furthermore, I suppose due to lipitor body jerking took place. Please let me know about adverse reactions to lipitor.
11:43 16/04/10 Hello, I use lipitor and get multiple sclerosis bad experience. Is there such side effects of lipitor drugs as lipitor memory loss or any muscle damage. I'd be glad to receive your feedback.
00:23 15/04/10 Dr.told me today to stop taking Lipitor. My liver "isn't happy" and she is concerned Lipitor could cause me liver damage. Side effects I have experienced: weight gain, high blood pressure, rash, side pain, swollen fingers, painful burning feet.
06:40 09/04/10 Hi, will lipitor be effective to treat enlarged liver? And what are the lipitor dangers in this case? I heard lipitor may cause muscle aches. So maybe there is certain lipitor substitute?
10:55 21/03/10 Hello, please let me know does lipitor have any generic drug? The matter is I experience lipitor serious side effects and maybe it would be better to start using any lipitor generic medication. For instance can you compare crestor and lipitor cholesterol drugs?
03:13 21/03/10 Hi, I was prescribed to use lipitor but quite afraid of possible lipitor dangers. Is there any cases of impotence caused by lipitor? I'd be glad to read any lipitor faq and find there answers for my questions.
14:00 09/03/10 hi, I need an advice. Please let me know if lipitor may bring some muscle damage? And does lipitor cause weight gain? The matter is I wanted to use this drug but my doctor ifromed me about these possible lipitor side effects. And furthermore, what about lipitor vs niacin or certain comparison of lipitor and zocor? Maybe these drugs would be a good substitution?
02:38 02/03/10 Hi, can you compare crestor and lipitor cholesterol drugs? The matter is I experience lipitor side-effects and don't know whether I should stop taking lipitor or take lipitor half dosage. Maybe it is better ti use another medication?
15:46 20/02/10 Hello, my doctor prescribed me lipitor, but previously I took zocor. So can you say something about lipitor vs zocor? Wat is lipitor dosage? Is it possible to purchase cheap lipitor? What are the lipitor side effects? In other words I need as much info about this drug as it possble. Thanks all.
12:57 15/02/10 hi, can anyone tell the generic name for lipitor? The matter is this is effective medication for me but I can't find it anywhere. By the way had annyone experienced lipitor body jerking or other side effects of lipitor?
10:12 08/02/10 hello, does anyone experienced lipitor unusual side effects? I don't mean lipitor muscle weakness or serious side effects caused by lipitor and alcohol intake. I'm using this drug for a long period of time but have read recently that there might be ome unusual side effects. That's the reason of my asking about lipitor dangers.
12:34 02/02/10 Hello, I take lipitor for a certain period of time and really suppose it is quite a good drug. Anyhow I'm not going to stop using lipitor at the moment. At least until any side effects of lipitor drugs will reveal.
02:40 28/01/10 Hi, my doctor said lipitor is quite efficient drug. So can you tell me lipitor instructions side effects? Is there any correspondense between lipitor and muscle pain? When the one should stop taking lipitor? I'll be glad to get your answers. Thanks a lot.