Drug Name

Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Drug Uses

Lipitor is use with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to decrease the amount of cholesterol and some fatty substances during your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process aware as atherosclerosis) decreases bloodstream and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats possible help to prophylaxis heart disease, angina (Breast ache), strokes, and heart attacks.

How to use

Lipitor comes as a drug to accept it orally. It is generally accept once per day with or without eat. To help you remember to taken Lipitor, accept it near the same time every day. Your Dr. perhaps begin you on a low serving of Lipitor and gradually increase your serving. Keep to accept Lipitor even if you feel well. No stop taken Lipitor without talking to your physician. Food a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet

Drug Class and Mechanism

Atorvastatin is an oral tablet that lowers the level of cholesterol during the blood. It belongs to a class of pills referred to as statins which includes lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin, (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol), and pravastatin (Pravachol). All statins, incorporating atorvastatin, prophylaxis the produce of cholesterol by the liver by blocking the enzyme that makes cholesterol, HMGCoA reductase. They lower complete blood cholesterol likewise as LDL cholesterol levels. (LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the progress of coronary artery disease.) Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and possibly even reverse coronary artery disease. Unlike the other capsules during this class, atorvastatin likewise may decrease the concentration of triglycerides during the blood. High blood concentrations of triglycerides as well have been associated with coronary artery disease. Atorvastatin was approved by the FDA during December of 1996.

Missed Dose

Taken the missed serving as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled serving, skip the missed serving and taken the next one as send. Not accept a double serving of this drug unless otherwise send by your medico.

Storage

Kept this pellet during the package it came during, tightly closed, and out of reach of babies. Stored it at room temperature and far from excess warmth and humidity (no during the bathroom). Throw far any tablet that is outdated or do not longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist approximately the proper disposal of your tablet.

Warnings/Precautions

Not accept Lipitor without first talking to your Dr. if you have liver disease. Until taken Lipitor, say your doc if you have a chronic muscular disease, require important surgery, or have a blood derangement. You perhaps no be able to accept Lipitor, or you possible require a dose adjustment or special monitoring in treatment if you have any of the circumstances listed above. Lipitor is during the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Lipitor is aware to cause birth defects if it is accept in pregnancy. No taken Lipitor if you are pregnant or could get pregnant in treatment. It is no aware whether Lipitor passes into chest milk. No accept this pellet without first talking to your physician if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible Side Effects

Although side results from Lipitor are no common, they may happen. Say your doc if any of these symptoms are serious or no go far:

    * gas
    * belly hurt or spasms
    * diarrhea
    * constipation
    * heartburn
    * headache
    * blurred vision
    * dizziness
    * morbilli or pruritus
    * upset belly

If you experiment any of the following symptoms, call your Dr. forthwith:

    * muscle hurt
    * tenderness
    * muscle spasms or weakness with or without a fever.

More Information

Your pharmacist may provide most information around Lipitor.