What is Lipitor?
Lipitor (atorvastatin) belongs to a class of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or statins. It is used in conjunction with diet to lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
Lipitor Uses
It is a medication used to treat high cholesterol and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people who have type 2 diabetes. Lipitor is for use in adults and children over the age of ten.
How to use Lipitor?
Before you start taking this, read the Patient Information Leaflet if it is available from your pharmacist. If you have any concerns.
As directed by your doctor, take this medication orally, with or without food, once daily.
The dosage is evaluated by your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and any other medications you are currently taking.
Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication. Grapefruit has the potential to increase the concentration of this medication in your bloodstream.
If you also take other cholesterol-lowering medications (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take it at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after these medications.
To get the most out of this medication, take it on a regular basis. Keep in mind to take it at the same time every day. Even if you feel fine, continue to take this medication. The majority of people who have high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel ill.
Side Effects
- Cough
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Hives
- Itching
- Skin rash
- Muscle cramps
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Weakness
- Puffiness
- Tightness in the chest
- Unusual tiredness
- Weakness
Precautions
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies before taking it. Before taking this medication, inform your doctor about your medical history, particularly if you have: liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of alcohol abuse.
This drug's side effects, particularly muscle problems, may be more severe in older adults.
This medication should not be taken while pregnant. An unborn baby may be harmed by it. Inform your doctor you are pregnant and taking this medicine.
It is unidentified whether this medication is excreted in breast milk or not. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug due to the potential risk to the infant. Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.
Interactions
Drug interactions can transform the way your medications function or put you at risk for major complications. Daptomycin and gemfibrozil are two drugs that may interact with this one.
Other medications may interfere with the removal of this medicine from your body, affecting how this works. Cyclosporine, glecaprevir plus pibrentasvir, telaprevir, telithromycin, and ritonavir are a few examples.
Do not consume any red yeast rice products while taking this medicine because some red yeast rice products may contain lovastatin, a statin. Combining atorvastatin and red yeast rice products will increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.
Missed Dose
It is necessary to take each dose of this medication on time. If you forget a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to arrange for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Overdose
If someone has taken an overdose of this medicine and has serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, seek medical advice immediately. Never take more doses than what is prescribed to you by your doctor.
Storage
Absorica should not come in direct contact with heat, air, light as it can damage it. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and far away from children’s reach.
Fondaparinux vs Heparin:
Lipitor (atorvastatin) belongs to a class of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or statins. | Crestor (rosuvastatin) belongs to a class of medications known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or "statins." |
It is a medication used to treat high cholesterol and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people who have type 2 diabetes. | Crestor is a medication used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in adults and children over the age of eight. |
It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body in order to reduce the amount of cholesterol that can build up on the artery walls and block blood flow to parts of the body. | Crestor works to lower cholesterol in two ways: it inhibits an enzyme in the liver, causing the liver to produce less cholesterol, and it increases the uptake and breakdown of cholesterol already in the blood by the liver. |