Lipitor and/or Equivalents
| Drug | Related Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Lipitor 10mg and/or Equivalents | Atorvastatin, Lipitor, Ratio-Atorvastatin |
| Lipitor 20mg and/or Equivalents | Atorvastatin, Lipitor |
| Lipitor 40mg and/or Equivalents | Atorvastatin, Lipitor, Ratio-Atorvastatin |
| Lipitor 80mg and/or Equivalents | Act-Atorvastatin, Atorvastatin, Lipitor |
Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Lipitor Description
Lipitor is a group of drugs manufactured by the company Pfizer. The company received the patent for this drug in 1996 and since then the drug has been made available internationally. Lipitor contains the active chemical ingredient Atorvastatin Calcium. It belongs to a class of drugs that are called hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, usually known as statins. These are generally prescribed for patients who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
Conditions Treated by Lipitor
As stated above, Lipitor belongs to the category of drugs called statins that are Dosage Information work on the lipids (fat cells) in the blood. Statins help to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. A high level of LDL cholesterol is dangerous as it can cause clots in the blood leading to heart disease and stroke. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the ‘good’ cholesterol that helps to maintain a healthy blood pressure level. Statins like Lipitor therefore lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, which in turn helps to prevent the occurrence of a stroke or myocardial infarction. (Heart attack) Thus it improves the quality and even length of life for someone who is suffering from cardiovascular disease. However to be most effective it needs to be taken along with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, particularly for patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidaemia. Patients who suffer from diabetes and heart disease are at an increased risk from stroke and heart attack, hence Lipitor may be prescribed as a preventive medication for such patients.
Lipitor Dosage Information
a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations
Lipitor is prescribed for people with heart disease or diabetes, which is more common in patients above the age of 40 years. However this is more of an observation than a rule. Lipitor can be given to all adults and even in children above 10 years who might be suffering from a heart condition. Each patient is prescribed a dose based on his specific conditions, including gender, age, other drugs being taken as well as the severity of the condition itself. Lipitor is an oral pill that needs to taken daily. It doesn't necessarily have to be taken with food. However to ensure that the body gets adapted to it easily it is better to take the pill at the same time everyday.
b.) Missing a dose
There are several reasons why patients miss their dose. If it is a case of a genuine forgetfulness it is not such a problem as the patient can set an alarm or calendar for taking the medicine that is known to work. However patients must never intentionally skip a dose of Lipitor if they fell uneasy with the pills. It is recommended that patients be in constant communication with their physicians so that they can report any discomfort immediately. Occasionally the physician may alter the dose as the patient responds to the medication. In any case when a dose is missed, Lipitor should be taken as soon as remembered rather than doubling the dose.
c.) Overdosing
All prescription drugs are given to patients after careful examination, as they tend to affect each person's body differently. Overdosing can be dangerous in case of Lipitor also, as it is only prescribed in certain conditions. In case of a suspected overdose of Lipitor, it is best to take immediate medical help, whether any symptoms are observed or not. This is because there can be some internal responses to the drug that might not be observable.
Lipitor Warnings
Lipitor and the whole class of Statins in general are sensitive drugs albeit highly effective ones. Patients must therefore report all confirmed and suspected allergies to their physician before they start taking Lipitor. Moreover since Lipitor is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, patients must maintain a healthy diet combined with moderate, regular exercise. Only when these are done in conjunction with Lipitor, will the medicine actually work. Alcohol and even grapes or grape juice must be strictly avoided when consuming Lipitor. Further, Lipitor is not to be taken during pregnancy as it can adversely affect the fetus. Patients with a past history of liver or kidney problems as well as irregular thyroid functioning must report this to the physician while starting Lipitor. Ideally all these areas would be covered by the physician when the medical history is being taken, however it is also the responsibility of the patient to report all important facts to the physician before taking Lipitor.
Lipitor Side Effects
Lipitor is a medication that takes a minimum of 15 days to start showing results. Hence when the patient starts taking the medication he or she might not experience any problems. But as it starts to show effects patients might experience some side effects. Following are some of the fairly common side effects that can be overcome with time with or without any efforts by the patient:
- Nausea
- Digestion problems such as constipation or flatulence, stomach cramps
- Aches and pains in the muscles and joints
- A feeling of weakness or mild dizziness
- Mild Diarrhea
- Sleep related problems
- Minor skin rash
- Paraesthesia or needle prick sensation
- Mild pain in the chest or back
For some specific mild side effects, the patient might have to make some modifications in his or her daily schedule to cope better with Lipitor. There are less common side effects such as weight gain, hearing problems, anorexia, unexpected bleeding and vomiting that need to be reported to the doctor. Some severe side effects of Lipitor are hepatitis or changes in liver functioning, severe muscle cramps, and oedema that are fairly serious. In very rare cases there can liver failure, problems with vision or hearing, muscle weakness and fever and Stevens-Johnson syndrome that could be an adverse response to Lipitor.
Possible Drug Interactions With Lipitor
Drugs contain chemical compounds that can combine and interact in different ways. These drug interactions can alter or reduce the efficacy of the medicine and can even cause adverse reactions. Lipitor can interact adversely with certain antibiotics, antifungal medicines, Immunosuppressants, Antivirals, contraceptives and ant-depressants. Hence the dose might have to adjusted or modified in such cases.
Grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor and possibly lead to potential serious effects. Do not adjust the amount of grapefruit products in your diet until you have discussed it with your primary health care provider. It is important to discuss the use of grapefruit products while you're being treated with Lipitor with your doctor.
Certain other drugs can increase your risk of serious muscle problems, and it is very important that your doctor knows if you are using any of the folowwing medication: Cardizem (diltiazem), Lopid (gemfibrozil), Fibricor (fenofibric acid), Antara (fenofibrate), Fenoglide (fenofibrate), Tricor (fenofibrate), and Triglide (fenofibrate)
antibiotic medications such as: Biaxin (clarithromycin), Erythromycin Base (Ilosone), E.E.S. (erythromycin ethylsuccinate), EryPed (erythromycin ethylsuccinate), Ery-Tab (erythromycin), and Erythrocin (erythromycin)
antifungal medicines such as: Diflucan (fluconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), and Vfend (voriconazole)
HIV medications: Norvir (ritonavir), Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), and Invirase (saquinavir mesylate)
medicines that contain niacin (Advicor (niacin/lovastatin), Niaspan (niacin extended-release), Niacor (niacin), Simcor ER (simvastatin/niacin extended-release), Slo-Niacin (polygel® controlled-release niacin), and others); or drugs that weaken your immune system, such as steroids, cancer medicine, or medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as: Neoral Gengraf (cyclosporine), Rapumune (sirolimus), and Prograf (tacrolimus)
If you have any questions about buying discount Lipitor online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.
Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Lipitor and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information
