Reducing Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats)
in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It is normal to
have cholesterol, in fact, cholesterol is an important part of a
healthy body because it is used to form cell membranes; hormones
and other needed tissues. However, too high a level of cholesterol
in the blood is a major risk for coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol Reduction Product Information -
Genuine Lipitor and Generic Lipocor
Generic Lipitor is more accurately referred to
as Lipocor. As the generic product is an exact chemical copy of the original Pfizer Lipitor the following information applies to both Pfizer Lipitor and the generic Lipocor.
Chemical Name for Lipitor: ATORVASTATIN (a-TORE-va-sta-tin). Pfizer is the manufacturer of the Original Lipitor brand.
What is LIPITOR® (atorvastin calcium)?
LIPITOR® is a prescription drug in one of the newest classes
of cholesterol-lowering medications, called statins. These drugs
have been used widely for the last five years. For people with high
cholesterol, LIPITOR®, in combination with a low-fat diet, can
reduce your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
How does LIPITOR® work?
LIPITOR® works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that your
body uses to make cholesterol. When less cholesterol is produced,
the liver takes up more cholesterol from the bloodstream. This results
in lower levels of cholesterol circulating in your blood.
What is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor?
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are a group of prescription drugs used to lower cholesterol, a white waxy substance that can stick to the inside of blood vessels, resulting in clogged arteries, heart disease, and strokes. These medicines work by slowing down the body’s ability to make cholesterol. Drugs in this class include atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol) simvastatin (Zocor) and cervistatin (Baycol). Collectively, they are known as "the statins." On August 8, 2001, cerivastatin (Baycol) was withdrawn from the market because of increasing reports of rare, but severe and sometimes fatal muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis.
Doctors often prescribe statins if diet, weight loss, and exercise don’t work to lower a person's cholesterol enough. Statins lower blood levels of LDL—also called "bad cholesterol"—as well decreasing blood fats called triglycerides. Statins also increase blood levels of HDL—known as "good cholesterol."
Statins are available as tablets or capsules and taken once daily, preferably in the evening or at bedtime. Your dose depends on your specific cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When used in equivalent doses, the various types of statins lower cholesterol to a similar degree.
While it is common knowledge that statins reduce cholesterol, several recent studies have highlighted new benefits. Researchers now believe that this class of medicines may lessen the risk for strokes and improve bone structure. These two effects could change how doctors prescribe these medicines and additional studies are currently underway to better understand these possible benefits.
How does LIPITOR® improve the different types of cholesterol?
In medical studies of people with high cholesterol, LIPITOR®,
taken once a day, had the following effects at doses of 10 to 80
mg:
Lowered total cholesterol by 29-45%.
Lowered LDL cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, by 39-60%.
Increased HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, by
5-9%.
Lowered tryclyceride levels by 19-37%.
What are the effects of LIPITOR® tablets?
LIPITOR® is a very effective medicine for lowering high LDL
cholesterol—the main target of cholesterol-lowering therapy.
Your doctor will determine how much your LDL cholesterol needs to
be lowered, based on your overall risk of heart disease. LIPITOR®
also effectively lowers high blood-tryglyceride levels.
What would I need to know about taking LIPITOR®?
Most people will require the starting dose, which is a 10 mg tablet
once daily. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for
you, which may be 10 mg to 80 mg. LIPITOR® can be taken any
time of the day, with or without food. To make it easier to remember
to take LIPITOR® you can plan to take it at the same time each
day, such as after you brush your teeth in the evening. The amount
or how often LIPITOR® is taken should never be changed without
consulting your healthcare professional.
How long does it take LIPITOR® to work?
Generally, LIPITOR® works within 2 weeks. The full effect is
usually seen within 4 weeks and lasts as long as you continue taking
it. Always take LIPITOR® as directed by your healthcare professional.
Who should not take LIPITOR® tablets?
Some people should not take LIPITOR®. Those with active liver
disease or possible liver problems; women who are pregnant, could
possibly become pregnant, or are breast-feeding; and people who
are allergic to any of the ingredients in LIPITOR®.
Does LIPITOR® interact with any other drugs?
If you take LIPITOR® with certain other medicines, they may
affect one another. LIPITOR® may interact with certain other
cholesterol-lowering drugs, some antibiotics, and antifungal medications.
It may also interact with less-frequently prescribed medications
as immunosuppressives (given after transplants). Be sure to tell
your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription
drugs you are taking.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking mibefradil, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), or telithromycin. Very serious, possibly fatal, interactions may occur. If you are currently using any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting atorvastatin.
Use caution if the following drugs are combined with atorvastatin because serious side effects (such as myopathy) infrequently could occur: fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate).
ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking cyclosporine, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin), niacin, antacids, digoxin, cholestyramine, colestipol, birth control bills, nefazodone, protease inhibitors (e.g., indinavir, ritonavir), rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), spironolactone, cimetidine, imatinib, bosentan, dalfopristin, or quinupristin. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including heart disease, history of liver disease, kidney disease, eye problems (e.g., cataracts), thyroid problems, uncontrolled seizures, recent major surgery or trauma, alcohol use, allergies (especially to other "statin" or cholesterol-lowering drugs), pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of active liver disease. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
What about side effects?
LIPITOR® is generally well tolerated and side effects are usually
mild. In studies, the most common side effects associated with LIPITOR®
were constipation, flatulence, indigestion, and abdominal pain.
If you are prescribed LIPTOR®, your healthcare professional
may want to conduct routine blood tests to check your liver function
before and after starting treatment.
Be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you have any allergies
to food or medication. Also, report promptly any unexplained muscle
pain, tenderness, or weakness, particularly if accompanied by discomfort
or fever, as these symptoms may be signs of serious side effects.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors refer to a class of medicines used to treat high cholesterol. Called "the statins," medicines in this class include atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor).
The statins may interact with other drugs, leading to a build-up in the body of the statin or the other drug being used. This may result in frequent or severe side effects. Whether a drug interaction is likely to occur will depend in part on which statin you are taking. Drugs that are likely to interact with statins include antacids (Tums, Maalox), cyclosporine (Neoral), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), gemfibrozil (Lopid), niacin (Niaspan), and warfarin (Coumadin).
Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice may also interfere with the body’s ability to eliminate certain statins, especially lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor), possibly increasing your risk of side effects. This interaction appears to be less significant with the other statins. If you are taking lovastatin or simvastatin you may consider other citrus juices like orange juice. Other juices don’t affect these medicines in this way.
Can I split the tablet?
No, the tablet should not be split. It is not designed to be split
and cannot be divided evenly to make two doses of equal strength.
Your doctor should be able to prescribe tablets in a dose that will
make splitting tablets unnecessary.
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