Lipitor

Lipitor is used to lower the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake). Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (Chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks. This medicine may also be used to prevent certain types of heart problems in adults with risk factors for heart problems.

Buy Lipitor (Brand)
Lipitor 10 mg - 90 Tabs	$353.57
Lipitor 20 mg - 90 Tabs	$412.05
Lipitor 40 mg - 90 Tabs	$415.18
Lipitor 80 mg - 90 Tabs	$405.96

How Taken:
Before prescribing medicine for your condition, your doctor will probably try to control your condition by prescribing a personal diet for you. Such a diet may be low in fats, sugars, and/or cholesterol. Many people are able to control their condition by carefully following their doctor's orders for proper diet and exercise. Medicine is prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed. Lipitor comes as a tablet to take it orally. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take Lipitor, take it around the same time every day. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Lipitor and gradually increase your dose. Continue to take Lipitor even if you feel well. Remember that this medicine will not cure your condition but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to keep your cholesterol levels down.

Warnings Precautions:
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to decide if you should continue to take it. Do not take Lipitor without first talking to your doctor if you have liver disease. Before taking Lipitor, tell your doctor if you have a chronic muscular disease, require major surgery, or have a blood disorder. If you have any of the conditions listed above you may not be able to take Lipitor, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Lipitor is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Lipitor is known to cause birth defects if it is taken during pregnancy. Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. If you are breast-feeding do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol while taking atorvastatin because it can worsen the adverse effects of this medicine on the liver.

Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Side Effects:
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: gas, stomach pain or cramps, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, rash or itching, upset stomach. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: muscle pain, tenderness, muscle cramps or weakness with or without a fever. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Storage:
Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Overdose:
The symptoms of a Lipitor overdose are not known. Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

More Information:
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Lipitor. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Alcohol and Lipitor can both be damaging to the liver. Alcohol should be used only in moderation. Discuss the use of alcohol with your doctor so that the potential for liver problems can be determined.

This entry was filed under Men's Health.