Lipitor Description

Lipitor is used along with a special diet to lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in blood. This drug is typically used when non-medicinal ways to reduce cholesterol levels (e.g., change of diet, weight loss) have not been quite successful. Lowering of cholesterol level may help prevent heart attack. Lipitor is used in adults and children (10 years and older). The young girls have to go through their first menstrual period before taking this medication.

What do you need to know about Lipitor?

• Usage of Lipitor and similar drugs in rare cases leads to muscle pain and liver disease. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, especially in combination with high temperature or similar to flu symptoms, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark urine or pale colored stools. All this can be early symptoms of muscle or liver diseases.
• Do not take Lipitor without talking to your doctor if you suffer from liver disease.
• Alcohol and Lipitor have a devastating effect on the liver. You should observe moderation in alcohol consumption. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of alcohol use in order to identify possible liver problems.
• Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant during treatment, or you are breast-feeding.

What do you need to discuss with your doctor before taking Lipitor?

Do not take Lipitor without talking to your doctor if you suffer from liver disease.

Before taking Lipitor, tell your doctor if you

• drink alcoholic beverages
• suffer from chronic muscle diseases
• need a serious surgery or suffer from blood diseases

You can not take Lipitor, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Lipitor belongs to Pregnancy Category X according to FDA classification. This means that taking the drug during pregnancy causes malformations. Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant or may become pregnant during the course of treatment.

It is not known whether the drug penetrates into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding, do not take Lipitor without consulting your doctor.

Precautionary measures

• Alcohol and Lipitor adversely effect the liver. Moderation should be observed in alcohol consumption. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of alcohol use in order to identify possible liver problems.
• Lipitor may interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. The interaction can lead to dangerous consequences. Discuss with your doctor the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.