Lipitor

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Lipitor (also known as Atorvastatin) is a medication used to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to manage elevated blood cholesterol levels. It is a member of the drug class known as statins, which are used primarily to lower blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad cholesterol".

Medical uses[edit | edit source]

Lipitor is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. It is used in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Common side effects of Lipitor include mild muscle pain, diarrhea, or mild nausea. Serious side effects may include muscle breakdown, liver problems, and increased blood sugar levels.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Lipitor works by inhibiting the enzyme in the liver that plays a key role in the production of cholesterol. This leads to lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood, which is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

History[edit | edit source]

Lipitor was developed by Pfizer and went on to become the best-selling prescription drug in the world, with over $125 billion in sales over approximately 14.5 years.

See also[edit | edit source]

Lipitor Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Spt