What is the Generic Name for Lipitor

Lipitor is one of the more powerful statins available in the market. According to clinical studies, it lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol by up to 29%.  The daily intake of Lipitor may lower total cholesterol levels by an average of 36%. It also lowers triglycerides by an average of 19%. The drug also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol by at least 6% in the bloodstream.

In research studies, Lipitor has also been shown to reduce the risk of experiencing major cardiovascular events by up to 37%. The cholesterol-lowering drug got the approval from the food and drug administration (FDA) in December of 1996.

Lipitor contains Atorvastatin, which blocks the enzyme HMG CoA reductase in the body. The enzyme plays a significant role in making cholesterol in the liver, which in turn reduces the amount of cholesterol in the body.

Atorvastatin- The Generic Name for Lipitor

Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication that falls into the category of drugs known as Statins. The drug is specifically prescribed to treat elevated total cholesterol levels, LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It works best when diet, lifestyle changes, or other medications are not completely lowering lipid levels. Additionally, the medicine is used to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and stroke in people with or without cardiovascular disease and in people with chest pain or Type 2 diabetes mellitus having certain cardiovascular risk factors.

For some people, lifestyle changes such as better diet and more exercise may treat unhealthy cholesterol levels. For others with high levels of cholesterol, medicines may also be required. Work with your physician to develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for you and your condition. If medication is needed, make sure you take your medicine as prescribed by your physician.

A lifestyle change certainly plays a significant role when it comes to cholesterol reduction. To get your cholesterol levels down to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, your physician may still recommend a statin. These powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs include Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, among others.

Statins, like Atorvastatin, is the most prescribed ones to patients with high cholesterol levels. It needs to be taken once daily to quickly reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Atorvastatin boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well by up to 15%. You will see significant changes in your cholesterol levels within two to four weeks after starting the treatment.

Conditions need to be monitored while taking Atorvastatin/Lipitor

If you are taking Atorvastatin medication, your physician may need to monitor you more closely if you are undergoing certain medical conditions that could be worse by taking the cholesterol-lowering drug. If you have elevated liver enzymes, or blood glucose levels, your physician may start your treatment with a lower dose and will need to monitor you to determine whether you are experiencing any harmful effects with the medication or not.

Conclusion

Atorvastatin is the most popular lipid-lowering medication in the USA not only due to its overall effects on lipid levels but also because of its ability to decrease the risk of experiencing a cardiovascular health complication such as a heart attack or stroke. Lipitor is one of the most popular brands of Atorvastatin that has the potential to lower your cholesterol. Because of the potential risk of adverse effects with other medical conditions and drug interactions, you should make sure that you should visit your physician’s place at regular intervals so that he/she can monitor you for unwanted effects while taking the cholesterol-lowering medication.