Drug Name

Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Drug Uses

Lipitor is using 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 possibly help to prophylaxis heart disease, angina (Breast hurt), strokes, and heart attacks.

How to use

Lipitor comes as a medication to accept it orally. It is generally accept once daily with or without eat. To help you remember to accept Lipitor, taken it near the same time every day. Your physician can begin you on a low dosage of Lipitor and gradually increase your dosage. Proceed to taken Lipitor even if you feel well. Not stop taken Lipitor without talking to your health care provider. 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 medications 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 full blood cholesterol also as LDL cholesterol levels. (LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the growth of coronary artery disease.) Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and possible 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 likewise 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. No taken a double serving of this tablet unless otherwise send by your doc.

Storage

Continue this pill during the packaging it came during, tightly closed, and out of reach of babies. Keep it at room temperature and far from excess warmth and water (do not during the bathroom). Throw far any drug that is outdated or do not longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist approximately the proper disposal of your pill.

Warnings/Precautions

No accept Lipitor without first talking to your doc if you have liver disease. Until take Lipitor, say your medico 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 possibly require a serving adjustment or special monitoring in treatment if you have any of the terms 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. Not accept Lipitor if you are pregnant or could get pregnant in treatment. It is no aware whether Lipitor passes into chest milk. No accept this tablet without first talking to your health care provider if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible Side Effects

Although side results from Lipitor are do not common, they may happen. Say your physician if any of these symptoms are serious or no go far:

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

If you experiment any of the following symptoms, call your physician instantly:

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

More Information

Your pharmacist may provide most information near Lipitor.