Lipitor

What is Lipitor?

Lipitor is a brand of atorvastatin from the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The tablets are prescribed for people whose high cholesterol cannot be reduced with diet and lifestyle changes alone.

Taking Lipitor can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

You can order Lipitor online through Prescription Doctor's quick online consultation service.

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat made in the liver from the fatty foods we eat, and it is stored in the body to be used as an energy source.

However, poor lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, eating excessive fatty foods and not getting enough exercise can increase the amount of cholesterol in your blood.

The cholesterol can stick to the inside of blood vessels and arteries, causing them to become narrow and hard (atherosclerosis). 

Left untreated, the build up of cholesterol in the blood vessels can cause blood clots, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

By catching high cholesterol early, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle and reduce your risk of complications.

With Prescription Doctor, you can order a home cholesterol testing kit online and get it delivered straight to your door. Our rapid cholesterol level tests provide accurate results in just a few minutes.

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How does Lipitor work?

Lipitor belongs to a group of medicines known as statins. These work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver from producing cholesterol.

The liver produces two main types of cholesterol known as low density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’) and high density lipoproteins (HDL or ‘good cholesterol’). High levels of LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’ in the blood vessels can increase the risk of developing heart and circulatory problems.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) works by blocking the action of a specific enzyme which is used to produce LDL in the liver, hence lowering the levels of LDL circulating in the blood vessels and reducing the risk of heart diseases.

How long does Lipitor take to work?

It may take up to 4 weeks for your cholesterol levels to come down.

You must continue to take Lipitor, even if you do not notice any changes in how you feel.

Your doctor may need to monitor your cholesterol levels while you are taking Lipitor. This is to ensure that the treatment is working, and whether your dosage needs to be adjusted.

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How do I take Lipitor?

Always take Lipitor as prescribed by your doctor.

Lipitor tablets should be taken once a day, and used in combination with a low cholesterol healthy diet to achieve and maintain optimal results.

Swallow Lipitor tablets whole with a glass of water.

Do not crush or chew the tablets.

You can take Lipitor with or without food at any time during the day, although it is best to take it at the same time every day to help you remember.

How much Lipitor do I take?

Your doctor will usually start you on the lowest dose of 10mg once daily and review you every 4 weeks to possibly increase your dose until your cholesterol levels are adequately managed.

Your doctor may prescribe Lipitor alongside a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, such as Ezetimibe.

What should I do if I forget to take Lipitor when I should?

You can take Lipitor at the usual time the next day if you forget to take it today. You must not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot to take.

What should I do if I take too much Lipitor?

You should seek immediate help from your doctor or the nearest hospital if you have accidentally taken more than your usual prescribed dose of Lipitor.

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Lipitor Side Effects and Cautions

You must read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine before you start taking Lipitor.

The patient information leaflet for Lipitor can be read online.

If you have any concerns about any of the information presented in the patient information leaflet, you can discuss them with one of our online prescribers. You can also speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.

Side effects of Lipitor

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everyone experiences them.

You should remain vigilant of all side effects associated with Lipitor during your course of treatment.

Common side effects of Lipitor may include:

• abnormal liver function test results
• back pain
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• headache
• increase in blood sugar levels (should be carefully monitored if you have diabetes)
• indigestion
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• nausea
• wind (flatulence)

This is not a complete list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Lipitor, including all associated side effects, can be found within the patient information leaflet.

Allergies

Do not take Lipitor if you are allergic to atorvastatin or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction, inform your doctor right away. In the case of serious allergic reactions, stop taking Lipitor and speak to your doctor. Go directly to your nearest accident and emergency department. Remember to take the packaging and any remaining medicine with you, so that doctors treating you know exactly what you took.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Lipitor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking Lipitor, inform your doctor right away.

Other safety information

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine before you start taking Lipitor.

Inform our online prescribers of all other medicines you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your GP or bought over the counter. Also mention any health and herbal supplements you may be taking.

Do not take Lipitor past the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Always store Lipitor tablets out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never throw away medicines via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medicines to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose them for you. These measures can protect the environment.

Never share your Lipitor tablets with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have been diagnosed with the same condition as you.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I drink alcohol while taking Lipitor?

Do not drink excessive alcohol while taking Lipitor, as it can affect your muscle cells, leading to muscle weakness.

Will Lipitor impact my ability to drive or operate machinery?

There is currently no evidence that taking Lipitor will affect your ability to drive or use machinery. However, if you notice any symptoms that affect your driving or working, you should stop driving or working with machinery when taking Lipitor.

Will Lipitor interfere with my contraception?

Atorvastatin, the active ingredient of Lipitor, may cause an increase in hormones from some contraceptive pills. This may increase your risk of side effects from your contraceptive.

You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on taking Lipitor alongside a contraceptive pill.

How long do I need to take Lipitor for?

Usually, you will need to take a statin like Lipitor for the rest of your life to keep your cholesterol levels at bay and prevent them from rising again.

However, your doctor may adjust your dose throughout your course of treatment, or may change your treatment to another statin depending on how you respond to Lipitor.

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