Lipitor

Lipitor Generic Name: Atorvastatin (a-TOR-va-STAT-in)
Brand Name: Lipitor

Lipitor is used for:

Lowering high cholesterol and triglycerides in certain patients.
It also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good") cholesterol levels.
It is used along with an appropriate diet.
It is used in certain patients to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, chest pain caused by angina, or blood vessel blockage.
It is also used in certain patients to reduce the risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure, or the need for medical procedures to open blocked heart blood vessels.
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lipitor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a "statin." It works by reducing the production of certain fatty substances in the body, including cholesterol.

Do NOT use Lipitor if:
*you are allergic to any ingredient in Lipitor
*you have liver problems or unexplained abnormal liver function tests
*you are pregnant or breast-feeding
*you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), itraconazole, or mibefradil
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lipitor :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lipitor . Tell your doctor or pharmacist *if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
*if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
*if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
*if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
*if you have low blood pressure, a serious infection, or a history of seizures
*if you have metabolism, hormonal, or electrolyte problems
*if you drink alcohol or have a history of liver problems or alcohol abuse
*if you have recently had major surgery, a serious injury, or a stroke

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lipitor . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Amiodarone, azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), colchicine, diltiazem, fibrates (eg, clofibrate, gemfibrozil), fluconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imatinib, immunosuppressants (eg, cyclosporine), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), mibefradil, nefazodone, niacin, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, delavirdine), streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), telithromycin, vasopressin receptor antagonists (eg, conivaptan), verapamil, or voriconazole (because they may increase the risk of muscle or kidney problems),Bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, rifampin, or St. John's wort (because they may decrease Lipitor 's effectiveness), Digoxin, hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), or spironolactone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lipitor.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lipitor may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Before You Start LIPITOR
Always talk to your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Ask your doctor what to expect when taking LIPITOR. Before starting LIPITOR, tell your doctor:
About all medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
*If you have muscle aches or weakness
*If you drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol daily
*If you have diabetes or kidney problems
*If you have a thyroid problem

Common Side Effects
*Headache
*Constipation
*Diarrhea
*Gas
*Upset stomach and stomach pain
*Rash
*Muscle and joint pain

Serious Side Effects
LIPITOR can cause serious side effects. These side effects have happened only to a small number of people. Your doctor can monitor you for them. These side effects usually go away if your dose is lowered or LIPITOR is stopped. These serious side effects include:

*Muscle problems. LIPITOR can cause serious muscle problems that can lead to kidney problems, including kidney failure. You have a higher chance for muscle problems if you are taking certain other medicines with LIPITOR.
*Liver problems. LIPITOR can cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking LIPITOR, and while you take it.

Call your doctor right away if you:
*Have muscle problems like weakness, tenderness, or pain that happen without a good reason, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual
*Have nausea and vomiting
*Pass brown or dark-colored urine
*Feel more tired than usual
*Notice the skin and whites of your eyes become yellow
*Have stomach pain

Who Should NOT Take LIPITOR
*Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant, or may become pregnant. LIPITOR may harm your unborn baby. If you get pregnant, stop taking LIPITOR and call your doctor right away
*Women who are breastfeeding. LIPITOR can pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby
*People with liver problems
*People allergic to LIPITOR or any of its ingredients