Lipitor is a member of the statins group of drug that is used for lowering cholesterol level in the blood. Patients suffering from high cholesterol level are prescribed with Lipitor along with low-fat diet and exercise to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride level. Thus, this drug is found effective in treating dyslipidemia and preventing cardiovascular diseases among patients who are at high risk due to increase cholesterol level in the blood. Bruce Roth in 1985 first synthesized the drug Lipitor, which has now become the best-selling pharmaceutical product. Approved by most of the drug regulatory authorities, Lipitor helps to prevent several chronic diseases like coronary artery disease, angina, stroke and heart attack.

It is important to take the dosage as per doctor’s instructions. Usually, Lipitor is prescribed for an extended duration and if the patients discontinue the medication, cholesterol level may increase again. The following directions are important to patients taking Lipitor:

• Take one dose every day at the same time.
• One can take the drug with or without food
• Take the drug with a low fat diet.
• Do not chew or crush the tablet. The tablet should be swallowed whole with glass of water.

Dosage Instructions

Factors like age of patients, their medical condition, severity of disease, etc., are considered before recommending dosage to them.

• For most of the patients, the recommended dosage of Lipitor is 10-20mg tablet taken once every day.
• Patients, who have high level of cholesterol, may be advised initial dosage of 40 mg, taken once in a day.
• Children in between the age group of 10-17 years are recommended to start with 10mg or 20mg of Lipitor tablet, taken once every day. The actual dose is determined depending upon the severity of the condition.

Missed Dose and Overdose of Lipitor

If a person misses the dosage of Lipitor, he is advised to take it as soon as he remembers it. However, if it is almost the time of next dosage, he is advised to skip the missed dosage and resume with usual dosing schedule. Do not make a mistake of doubling the dosage in order to compensate with missed dosage.

In case of over dosage, patients must seek medical help immediately. They can even call the poison help line for getting immediate help.

Atorvastatin Storage

It is advised to store the drug at room temperature between 20-25 degrees C. Keep the drug away from light and moisture. Keep medicines away from reach of children and pets. Discard medicine properly when it is expired or no longer required.

Under certain conditions, patients are strictly advice not to take the drug. Some of those conditions are:

• If they are allergic to its active or inactive ingredients
• If pregnant or breast-feeding
• Having liver disease
• Children below the age of 10 years

Under certain medical conditions, patients are recommended to take the drug only after consulting with doctors. For instance, if patients are suffering from any of the below mentioned conditions, they need to discuss it with doctors before taking the drug:

• History of kidney disease
• A thyroid disorder
• History of hereditary muscle disorder
• History of hereditary blood disorders
• Drink more than two alcoholic beverages on daily basis
• Taking grapefruit or drinking its juice should be strictly avoided while taking Lipitor.
• It is important to take low-fat diet and exercise on regular basis while taking Lipitor.

Lipitor is a well-tolerated drug and few side effects are usually experienced with it. However, some individuals may experience a few of the common side effects known to the drug. Some of the common side-effects that usually diminishes with regular dosage of the drug are:

• Stuffy nose
• Disturbances of the gut like constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence
• Headache
• Pain in muscles, back or joints
• Joint swelling
• Muscle spasms
• Abnormal results in liver function test
• Skin reactions like rash and itch

Serious side-effects

On rare occasions, some side effects may cause patients to discontinue their therapy. Some of these side effects are more serious and require consultation with their doctor if they occur. It is prudent to seek medical intervention immediately in the event that the patient experience any of the serious side-effects. These effects are controlled by either lowering the drug dosage or instructing patients to stop taking the medications. Some of the serious side-effects are:

• Muscle problems like inflammation of the muscles
• Swelling of ankles and legs
• Liver failure
• Hearing loss
• Decrease in blood cells
• Serious skin condition
• Depression

Lipitor Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may increase the risk of serious side-effects. Therefore, it is important for the patients to keep doctor informed about all medications including prescription, non-prescription, herbal products taken by them. There are certain drugs which interact with Lipitor and affect its functioning in adverse manner. Some of those drugs are:

• Diltiazem
• Telaprevir
• Gemfibrozil
• Antibiotics like erythromycin or clarithromycin
• HIV medications like darunavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, etc.
• Antifungal medications like Itraconazole, fluconazole, etc.
• Medicines containing niacin
• Drugs that weak immune system

Q: Why is Lipitor prescribed?

A: Lipitor is used to treat high cholesterol. Used in combination with diet, it works to lower blood levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Q: What does Lipitor do?

A: Lipitor lowers the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors such as genetically high cholesterol.

Q: Does Lipitor have a generic alternative?

A: Atorvastatin (Generic) is available for purchase!

Q: How long until I see the effects of Lipitor?

A: This medication starts to work in about 2 weeks

Q: What if I miss a dose of Lipitor?

A: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Q: How should I store this medication?

A: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Q: Can I dispose of this medication via toilet?

A: No, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.