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 ache), strokes, and heart attacks.

How to use

Lipitor comes as a pill to accept it orally. It is generally accept once per day with or without meal. To help you remember to accept Lipitor, accept it surround the same time every day. Your medico possibly begin you on a low serving of Lipitor and gradually increase your serving. Proceed to taken Lipitor even if you feel well. Not stop take Lipitor without talking to your physician. Food a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet

Drug Class and Mechanism

Atorvastatin is an oral pellet that lowers the level of cholesterol during the blood. It belongs to a class of tablets 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 likewise 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 medications during this class, atorvastatin as well 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 dosage, skip the missed serving and taken the next one as send. Not taken a double serving of this pellet unless otherwise send by your physician.

Storage

Stored 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 water (do not during the bathroom). Throw far any drug that is outdated or do not longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist near the proper disposal of your pill.

Warnings/Precautions

Not accept Lipitor without first talking to your medico if you have liver disease. Until take Lipitor, say your health care provider if you have a chronic muscular disease, require important surgery, or have a blood derangement. You perhaps do not be able to taken Lipitor, or you perhaps 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 no common, they may happen. Say your health care provider if any of these symptoms are serious or not 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 Dr. instantly:

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

More Information

Your pharmacist may provide most information approximately Lipitor.