Primary Disease Name: Cholesterol
Primary Drug Name: Lipitor
Chemical Drug Name: Atorvaststin
Lipitor Information - What is Lipitor?
Lipitor is a prescription drug for lowering cholesterol. For people
with high cholesterol, Lipitor (Atorvaststin), in combination with
diet, can reduce Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides
levels significantly. 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 with Lipitor may help to prevent heart disease,
angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.
In Canada, Lipitor
is the number one prescribed medication to reduce cholesterol.
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 Lipitor Canada - Is Lipitor from Canada Safe?
Canadian Interenet Pharmacies with the CIPA
seal are a part of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association
Canada and only ship drugs that are of the highest quality, and
as safe as in the United States.
CIPA Certified Canadian Pharmacies dispense only Health Canada approved
prescription drugs such as Lipitor from Canada.
Health Canada is the equivalent to the US FDA and has standards
that match those of the FDA.
Prescription drugs from a Cipa Certified Canadian pharmacies are
just as good as those purchased in the United States and the generic
drugs, commonly purchased from online Canadian pharmacies, are of
the highest standard in the world. When purchasing your prescriptions
from an online Canadian Pharmacy you will notice that generic versions
of many popular brand names drugs are readily available.
Lipitor from Canada and other Prescription drugs from Canada
points to note:
- All Drugs are approved by Health Canada
- Health Canada is Canada's equivilent to the FDA
- Canadian Generics are of the highest quality in the world
- Prescrition medications from Canada really are of the highest
quality in the world
Order Discount Lipitor from these Certified Canadian Pharmacies
- Medisave
Canada Pharmacy
- Candrug
Health Solutions
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Lipitor Side Effects
Lipitor Side Effects: If you are prescribed Lipitor
(Atorvaststin), be sure to alert your doctor as soon as possible
if you have any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
Lipitor is generally very well-tolerated. The side effects reported
most often are gas, stomach pain, indigestion, and constipation.
These side effects are usually mild and temporary. DO NOT USE Lipitor
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Other Possible Lipitor Side Effects: Although
from Lipitor side effects are not common, they can occur. Tell your
doctor if any of these Lipitor/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.
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Lipitor Cholesterol Medication Mechanism of Action
Lipitor works by blocking an enzyme (HMG-Co A Reducatse) that
is needed to make cholesterol in the liver. Therefore, less cholesterol
is made and the levels of cholesterol in the blood decrease. By
blocking this enzyme, Lipitor also helps the liver to increase the
breakdown of the “bad” LDL cholesterol. Reduction of
cholesterol levels in the blood has been shown to reduce the risks
associated with heart disease such as heart attacks and strokes.
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Why is LDL Cholesterol "Bad"?
When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. LDL cholesterol of less than 100 mg/dL (or total cholesterol levels of 4.7 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is the optimal level. Less than 130 mg/dL (total cholesterol of 5.2 millimoles per litre (mmol/L) is near optimal for most people. A high LDL level (more than 160 mg/dL (6mmol/L) or 130 mg/dL (>5.2m/mol) or above if you have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. That's why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol. Prescription drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lipitor (Atorvaststin), Pravachol (pravastatin), and Lipitor (fluvastatin) have been shown to interfere in the synthesis of LDL by blocking an enzyme that helps produce cholesterol in the body.
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Diet and Benefits of Lipitor
Dietary intake of cholesterol includes the contribution of animal
fats found in red meat, cheese, cream and whole cream milk and from
cooking oils. Oils that possess a high concentration of saturated
fats such as palmitic oils (palm & cottonseed oils), stearic
oils (lards & dairy fats), myristic and lauric oils (coconut
and palm kernel oils & dairy fats) are known to contribute more
towards the development of heart disease as compared to the lower
saturated fat based oils such as those containing oleic acids (olive,
safflower & sunflower oils) and lioleic acids (Seed oils; grape
seed oil & walnut oil). Health care professionals discourage
the use of cooking oils that possess higher levels of saturated
fats (as these assist oxidation of LDL and foam cell formation).
In addition, animal fats are rich in saturated fatty acids that
promote the accumulation of cholesterol. Rich animal fats have an
inverse effect on the production of LDL receptors in the liver,
so the individual with a diet that is high in animal fat is increasing
the risk of developing atherosclerosis. Drugs such as the statins
(Lipitor, Lipitor, Lipitor, Crestor, Pravachol, and Advicor) can help
to reduce the process of atherosclerosis by reducing LDL cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol is known as "the bad cholesterol." Excess
LDL builds up on your arteries (called a fatty streak) and may lead
to heart disease. The higher the level of LDL cholesterol, the higher
the risk for developing heart disease. Lowering elevated LDL cholesterol
can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Lipitor can help to reduce
LDL cholesterol.
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL cholesterol, has earned the nickname
"the good cholesterol." That's because it is believed
to remove cholesterol from the blood. High levels of HDL in your
blood may help to reduce your risk of heart disease. A low level
can increase your risk of heart disease. Lipitor can help to increase
HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in your bloodstream. Persons
with a high blood-triglyceride level have an increased risk of heart
disease. Lipitor helps to reduce triglyceride levels.
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Why is HDL Cholesterol "Good"?
About one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because a high level of it seems to protect against heart attack. (Low HDL cholesterol levels [less than 40 mg/dL] increase the risk for heart disease.) Medical experts think that HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe that HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaque in arteries, thus slowing the buildup.
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Lipitor Dose and Supply
Lipitor is available in four doses in Canada. Lipitor comes as
a 10mg tablet, 20mg tablet, 40mg tablet and as an 80mg tablet. Lipitor
is usually recommended to be taken once daily at bedtime. As a cost
saving measure, many Canadian and American patients cut a higher
dosage of their Lipitor in half to save money. Lipitor can be taken
with or without regards to meals.
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Lipitor Storage
Lipitor should be stored away from direct sunlight and kept in
a tightly closed container (vial) in order to prevent moisture from
affecting the tablet stability
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How To Take Lipitor
How to take Lipitor ?
Lipitor is taken once a day. It can be taken with or without food,
day or night. For best results, it is important to try and take
Lipitor around the same time each and every day.
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Lipitor Contraindicatons
Individuals who have active liver disease or unexplained persistent
elevations of serum transaminases should not take the medication.
Concerning women of child bearing age, since the active ingredient
in Lipitor, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, decrease cholesterol synthesis
and possibly the synthesis of other biologically active substances
derived from cholesterol, they may cause fetal harm when administered
to pregnant women.Therefore, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are contraindicated
during pregnancy and in nursing mothers.
Atorvaststin SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED TO WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE
ONLY WHEN SUCH PATIENTS ARE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO CONCEIVE AND HAVE
BEEN INFORMED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS. If the patient becomes pregnant
while taking this drug, therapy should be discontinued and the patient
apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. In addition, individuals
that have any know hypersensitivity to any component of the medication
should also refrain from taking Lipitor.
Are there any medications that significantly react with
Lipitor?
The risk of myopathy during treatment with Lipitor is increased
with concurrent administration of cyclosporine, fibric acid derivatives,
niacin (nicotinic acid), erythromycin, azole antifungals.
Antacid: When atorvastatin and Maalox® TC
suspension were coadministered, plasma concentrations of atorvastatin
decreased approximately 35%. However, LDL-C reduction was not altered.
Antipyrine: Because Lipitor does not affect the
pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, interactions with other drugs metabolized
via the same cytochrome isozymes are not expected.
Colestipol: Plasma concentrations of Lipitor decreased
approximately 25% when colestipol and atorvastatin were coadministered.
However, LDL-C reduction was greater when Lipitor and colestipol
were coadministered than when either drug was given alone.
Cimetidine: Lipitor plasma concentrations and
LDL-C reduction were not altered by coadministration of cimetidine.
Digoxin: When multiple doses of Lipitor and digoxin
were coadministered, steady-state plasma digoxin concentrations
increased by approximately 20%. Patients taking digoxin should be
monitored appropriately.
Erythromycin: In healthy individuals, plasma concentrations
of Lipitor increased approximately 40% with coadministration of
Lipitor and erythromycin, a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450 3A4.
Oral Contraceptives: Coadministration of Lipitor
and an oral contraceptive increased AUC values for norethindrone
and ethinyl estradiol by approximately 30% and 20%. These increases
should be considered when selecting an oral contraceptive for a
woman taking atorvastatin.
Warfarin: Atorvastatin had no clinically significant
effect on prothrombin time when administered to patients receiving
chronic warfarin treatment.
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Additional Lipitor Information
Lipitor has shown to be one of the most potent cholesterol reducing
drugs on the market. However, another agent recently released on
the market by Astra-Zeneca, CRESTOR (ROSUVASTATIN) is shown to have
higher potency. It is also possible to use a higher dose of the
older, less expensive cholesterol reducing agents to get a similar
effect to that of Lipitor or CRESTOR. These drugs include ZOCOR
(SIMAVASTATIN), MEVACOR, ALTOCOR, or ADVICOR (LOVASTATIN), PRAVACHOL
(PRAVASTATIN), LESCOL or LESCOL XL (FLUVASTATIN).
Lipitor is generally well tolerated and can be taken with many
other medicines. However, Lipitor may interact with certain other
cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g. Lopid or gemfibrozol).
Lipitor may also interact with other medications including some
antibiotics, some antifungal medicines, and immunosuppressive medications.
Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription
and nonprescription drugs you are taking.
Other Lipid lowering agents that are available and work differently
than the “statin” drugs include ZETIA (EZITIMIBE), LOPID
(GEMFIBROZOL), COLESTID (CHOLESTIPOL), TRICOR (FENOFIBRATE) and
QUESTRAN (CHOLESTYRAMINE).
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