How Does LIPITOR Help Manage High Cholesterol?
Before taking any medicine, it's good to know how it works. LIPITOR is a statin. Statins lower cholesterol in the body by blocking an enzyme in the liver. The body uses this enzyme to make cholesterol. When less cholesterol is made, the liver uses more of it from the blood. This results in lower levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Along with diet and exercise, LIPITOR is clinically proven to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol by 39%-60% (average effect depending on dose).
If you have high cholesterol, don’t kid yourself. You may be at risk for heart attack. Talk to your doctor about your risk and if LIPITOR is right for you.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.