Pill of the Month

February 2007- Atrovastatin (Lipitor)

Atrovastatin
Brand Names: Lipitor

What it is: Lipitor is used for the treatment and reduction of high cholesterol (especially the bad LDL cholesterol) and triglyceride levels by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body. Usually, exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats can help to lower cholesterol initially, but when these methods of treatment do not lower cholesterol levels enough, Lipitor can be taken as a supplement. Because the effectiveness of Lipitor is correlated to the dosage taken, higher doses of Lipitor will reduce cholesterol levels more than lower doses. It can also be used to increase good (HDL) cholesterol in the blood as well. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces the risk of hardening of the arteries, which could lead to heart attacks, strokes, and vascular diseases.

Side Effects:
-Constipation
-Diarrhea
-Fatigue
-Gas
-Heartburn
-Headache
**Patients with alcohol or other liver diseases should take precautions and talk to a doctor before taking Lipitor.

Interactions and Dosage: Muscle breakdown and liver problems are some rare results of taking Lipitor, especially if it is given with other medications like cyclosporine (Sandimmune), gemfibrozil (Lopid), erythromycin and nicotinic acid. Lipitor is prescribed to be taken once a day, with starting doses at 10-40 mg. It does not matter if it is taken with or without food, and can also be taken at any time of the day. No generic is available yet.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/Lipitor/index.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/atorvastatin/article.htm