Lipitor: Brand Drug Name
Atorvaststin: Generic Drug Name
Cholesterol: Primary Disease Name
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 drug is the number one prescribed medication to
reduce cholesterol.
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 Lipitor Canada - Buy
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 Atorvaststin 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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Lipitor Lows Cholesterol
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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Lipitor Benefits
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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Lipitor Results
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 Dosage
Lipitor is available in four strengths in Canada. Lipitor oral tablets come as
Lipitor 10mg, Lipitor 20 mg, Lipitor 40 mg, and Lipitor 80 mg. 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 dosage is based on your age, medical
conditions, and response to therapy.
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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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Lipitor Drug Uses
Lipitor Drug Uses
Lipitor oral 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 Drug Interactions
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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