Lipitor

Other names used:

• Sortis®

Active Ingredients:

• Atorvastatin

The commercial name of the medication may differ from the brand one. Generic Lipitor manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals is available under commercial name Atorbest.

How does Lipitor work and what pharmaceutical group does it belong to?

Lipitor contains the active ingredient atorvastatin that belong to a class of cholesterol-lowering preparations called statins. Therapeutic action of Lipitor arises from the inhibiting the enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is responsible for the production of cholesterol by the liver cells. Decreased production of cholesterol in the liver causes liver cells to take it out from the blood. This results in lowering of cholesterol blood levels.

Which conditions are treated with Lipitor ?

Zetia is indicated for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Primary hypercholesterolemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
• Prophylaxis and reducing the risk of heart attacks
• Reducing the risk of complications in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

What should a patient know prior to taking the medication?

Lipitor should not be taken in:

• hypersensitivity to any of the medication ingredients
• liver diseases in active phase
• liver failure
• increased activity of the liver transaminase of unknown origin
• diseases of the skeletal muscles
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• children and adolescent under 18 years of age

Which adverse effects may manifest when using the medication?

The most common Lipitor side effects include: headache, muscles pain, diarrhea, joint pain, inflammation of the sinuses, skin rash, abdominal pain, weakness, common cold, constipation, common cold, sore throat.

The less common Lipitor side effects include: lack of appetite, bronchial asthma, liver problems, Ringing of the ears, hearing loss, high blood pressure, weight gain, gout.

It is not necessary that the side effects will manifest in an individual but the possibility still exist. For more information please consult your health care provider.

Which groups of drugs or specific preparations may interact with Lipitor ?

The drug is affected by the following:

• Contraception medicines
• Vitamins(nicotinic acid)
• HIV treatment
• Cardiac glycosides(Digoxin)
• Antibiotics
• Antimycotic agents
• Protease inhibitors
• Other cholesterol preparation(statins and fibrates)
• Calcium channels blockers
• Immune suppression medicines(cyclosporine)
• Grapefruit juice

Tell your doctor about all the herbal preparations as well as prescription drugs that you are currently taking even if they are not on the list.

Important information for the patient:

Lipitor is supplied for individual use. Do not use it to treat other conditions not listed in the leaflet. Keep the product out of children reach. Do not reuse any disposable materials if supplied with the preparation.