What is Lipitor?

Lipitor is a drug which is used for lowering the cholesterol level.

Uses

Lipitor is used to lower cholesterol levels in the human body. Lipitor reduces the lipoprotein and the cholesterol in the blood. This prevents heart diseases and hardened arteries.
Lipitor is also used to lower heart attack chances in people with coronary heart disease or a type 2 diabetes.
You might be prescribed Lipitor for uses other than those listed above. It may also be given along with other medicines for some other disease too. Contact your doctor or pharmacist about the uses of Lipitor.

How should I take Lipitor?

Lipitor should only be used according to the prescribed way. Do not take Lipitor for a longer time than the given course. Lipitor is not to be used in bigger amounts than the prescribed amount.
Lipitor is to be taken along with a glass full of water. It can be used with food or without food.
Lipitor should be taken once per 24 hours. Try using it the same time each day. You can ask your doctor for the timings of the dosage of Lipitor.
Your blood will be tested on a regular basis to ensure that this medication is working. Liver tests may also be scheduled while you are taking this course. Do not miss any scheduled test.
Lipitor is used as a part of a complete program also including prescribed diet and exercise routine. Follow your prescribed diet on a regular base too.
Lipitor is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
You may need to take Lipitor on a long-term basis for the treatment of high cholesterol.
Store Lipitor at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I overdose?

For precaution seek immediate medical help if you have taken too much of this drug.
An overdose of Lipitor does not pose any threat to your life.

Lipitor side effects

Get immediate emergency help if the patient faces any allergic side effects like hives, breathing difficulty and the swelling of face, lips and tongue.
The usage of Lipitor should be halted right away if the patient faces these serious side effects:

• Muscle Pain;
• Weakness with flu;
• Nausea;
• Jaundice;
• Dark urine and
• Clay-colored stool.

Apart from these serious side effects some minor side effects may take place. These include:

• Constipation;
• Gas;
• Stuffy nose;
• Rashes and
• Headache

The patient might face side effects other than those listed here. If any unusual symptom is caused by the use of Lipitor then contact your doctor immediately.

Warnings

As Lipitor is a cholesterol lowering drug, during the course of Lipitor, the patients should be advised against the intake of fatty food. In order for the drug to act efficiently, a strict diet plan should be followed. Also, the intake of alcohol should be avoided, as alcohol increases the synthesis of fatty acids, which results in an increased production of Tags (tri acyl glycosides). Tags are the simplest form of fat in the body. Alcohol intake during the course can lead to liver diseases.
Admintration of Lipitor should not be prescribed to diabetic patients, patients with muscle disorders, hypothyroidism and liver diseases.
Like all the drugs, care must be taken as to what drugs you are taking during the course of lipitor. The physician must be told about the other medications that the patient is taking, because Lipitor can act with other drugs which include, random medications given by other doctors, herbal products, minerals etc, which can result in serious consequences.
The drug Lipitor,can in some cases, lead to kidney failure( acute or chronic) because of its protein catabolic effects( breaks down skeletal muscles).the symptoms include fever, muscular pain, lethargy nod conc. dark colored urine.
Lipitor can also act as a teratogen (a chemical or environmental factor that can lead to developmental abnormalities in a fetus), thus care must be taken as to administration of this drug during pregnancy. Also, breast feeding mothers are strictly advised against taking this drug. While taking a course of Lipitor, a fertile female, is advised to take a reliable birth control. If pregnancy results during the course of drug, doctor should be immediately notified.

Proper storage of Lipitor

Lipitor is to be stored at room temperature. Room temperature: 68 to 77 Degrees F or 20 to 25o C. It is to be kept in a tightly closed container. Keep Lipitor away from sunlight, heat and moisture. Do not place it in bathrooms. Keep Lipitor out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information

For more information about Lipitor consult your doctor or pharmacist. If your symptoms get worse after using this drug then inform this to your doctor.
Lipitor is to be used only for the person it is prescribed for. Do not share your medication.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If the patient misses a dose then take the missed dose as soon as possible. If the scheduled next dose is near then skip the missed dose. Continue the rest of the course as usual. Do not take any other medicine to cover up the missed dose.