What Is Atorvastatin Lipitor
March 5th, 2010
Atorvastatin is the generic name for the widely known medicine lipitor.
About Lipitor
This is a drug class member of the statin family, drugs that are used to help lower bad cholesterol and used to stabilize swollen blood vessels. This can also reduce the risk of many heart diseases and heart complications.
History of Lipitor
While working at Davis Warner-Lambert Company now widely known as Pfizer, Bruce Roth first formed the drug in the year 1985.
As a Top Selling Brand
The said drug is one of the many statin or medicine that can lower blood cholesterol that is out in the market. With US$12.4 billion sales in 2008, the drug became the top selling brand pharmaceutical in the world. But by the first quarter of the year 2009 a 2% down in income and 8% down in revenue was discovered by Pfizer this is because of the continuous decline of the sales of the said drug that earnings have been very much affected. It is known that until June 2011 will lipitor retain its patent protection. However, Pfizer has already made an agreement with Ranbaxy Laboratories that they will delay the generic launch in the US until November 2011. One of the most studied drugs in the world is lipitor.
Managing High Cholesterol
The medicine blocks the pathway of the proteins located in the liver that produces mevalonate an organic compound that is used in the formation of cholesterol and some other organic compound. Taking up the drug can reduce total amount of LDL cholesterol a type of the combination of protein and lipid that transports cholesterol and fatty acids from the liver to peripheral tissues. Only the fatty acids that is harmful to human health is blocked.
Benefits You Can Get
Taking the pill helps manage cholesterol by lowering the number of bad cholesterol. Due to this a person may be motivated to change its lifestyle that can help him or her to have a healthy heart habits. It is clinically proven that the drug can reduce heart attack, stroke and the dangers of heart diseases. It is also confirmed that it can cure back pain.
The Risk Attached
Before taking the medicine you should read first the patient information sheet that comes with it. Individuals who are pregnant or is planning to have a baby, those lactating mother, those having liver problems and those allergic with the drugs components should not take the medicine. Like any other medicine lipitor has serious side effects that include muscle problems and liver problems. If you experience nausea, has brown or dark-colored urine, feeling tired than usual, stomach pain and allergic skin, do not hesitate to call your physician. Before taking up the medicine you should tell your doctor the condition of your body like muscle aches, you’re drinking habit, if you have diabetes, thyroid problem and kidney problems. There are also other prescriptions that should not be taken while having lipitor. So it is best if you will tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements and medicines that are for the immune system, cholesterol, infections, birth control, heart failure and HIV or AIDS.