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Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) - Summary

 
 



LIPITOR SUMMARY

LIPITOR is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Atorvastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis.

Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be only one component of multiple risk factor intervention in individuals at significantly increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Drug therapy is recommended as an adjunct to diet when the response to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol and other nonpharmacologic measures alone has been inadequate. In patients with CHD or multiple risk factors for CHD, LIPITOR can be started simultaneously with diet.


Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

In adult patients without clinically evident coronary heart disease, but with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease such as age, smoking, hypertension, low HDL-C, or a family history of early coronary heart disease, LIPITOR is indicated to:

  • Reduce the risk of myocardial infarction
  • Reduce the risk of stroke
  • Reduce the risk for revascularization procedures and angina

In patients with type 2 diabetes, and without clinically evident coronary heart disease, but with multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease such as retinopathy, albuminuria, smoking, or hypertension, LIPITOR is indicated to:

  • Reduce the risk of myocardial infarction
  • Reduce the risk of stroke

In patients with clinically evident coronary heart disease, LIPITOR is indicated to:

  • Reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction
  • Reduce the risk of fatal and non-fatal stroke
  • Reduce the risk for revascularization procedures
  • Reduce the risk of hospitalization for CHF
  • Reduce the risk of angina
Hypeerlipidemia

LIPITOR is indicated:

  • As an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, apo B, and TG levels and to increase HDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and nonfamilial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb);
  • As an adjunct to diet for the treatment of patients with elevated serum TG levels (Fredrickson Type IV);
  • For the treatment of patients with primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (Fredrickson Type III) who do not respond adequately to diet;
  • To reduce total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable;
  • As an adjunct to diet to reduce total-C, LDL-C, and apo B levels in boys and postmenarchal girls, 10 to 17 years of age, with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia if after an adequate trial of diet therapy the following findings are present:
      LDL-C remains ≥ 190 mg/dL or
    • LDL-C remains ≥ 160 mg/dL and: there is a positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease or
    • two or more other CVD risk factors are present in the pediatric patient
Limitations of Use

LIPITOR has not been studied in conditions where the major lipoprotein abnormality is elevation of chylomicrons (Fredrickson Types I and V).


See all Lipitor indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Does Lipitor Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Source: MedicineNet Rheumatoid Arthritis Specialty [2017.08.15]
Title: Does Lipitor Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Category: Doctor's & Expert's views on Symptoms
Created: 8/15/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/15/2017 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Impact of female sex on lipid lowering, clinical outcomes, and adverse effects in atorvastatin trials. [2015]
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on lipid lowering, cardiovascular (CV) events, and adverse events in women compared with men in 6 clinical trials. In the Incremental Decrease in End Points Through Aggressive Lipid Lowering (IDEAL) trial (atorvastatin 80 mg vs simvastatin 20 to 40 mg), the Treating to New Targets (TNT) trial (atorvastatin 80 vs 10 mg), the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial (atorvastatin 80 mg vs placebo), and the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS), the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT), and the Atorvastatin Study for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Endpoints in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (ASPEN) (atorvastatin 10 mg vs placebo), lipid changes on treatment were compared between genders with studies grouped by dose...

Efficacy, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of evacetrapib administered as monotherapy or in combination with atorvastatin in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia. [2014]
The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor evacetrapib has been previously shown to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, as monotherapy or in combination with statins... In conclusion, evacetrapib as monotherapy or in combination with atorvastatin effectively decreased CETP activity and LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C levels after 12 weeks in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia.

Efficacy of topical atorvastatin for the treatment of pressure ulcers: a randomized clinical trial. [2014]
process of pressure ulcers in critically ill patients... CONCLUSION: Topical application of atorvastatin ointment 1% for 14 days in

Effect of atorvastatin on pancreatic Beta-cell function and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a randomized pilot study. [2014]
type 2 diabetes by using the homeostasis model assessment-2 (HOMA2) index... CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin in the dose used failed to produce significant change

Patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving chronic statin treatment who are undergoing noncardiac emergency surgery benefit from acute atorvastatin reload. [2014]
undergoing noncardiac emergency surgery benefit from acute atorvastatin reload... CONCLUSION: The trial suggests that atorvastatin reload may improve the clinical

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

LIpitor and biGuanide to Androgen Delay Trial [Not yet recruiting]
This study is a randomized trial examining the administration of a combination of biguanide metformin and atorvastatin ("Lipitor") to men who are experiencing rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, despite having undergone radical therapy (surgery and/or radiation).

High Dose and Low Dose of Atorvastatin in Patients With Unstable Angina and NSTEMI (Non ST Elevation MI) [Completed]
The aim of this study is to compare the effect of high dose and low dose of Atorvastatin in reduction level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with unstable angina and NSTEMI (Non ST Elevation MI) attending Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas.

A Study to Determine the Bioequivalence of SCH 900068 Compared to Marketed Products (Protocol No. P07551) [Completed]

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Omacor, Co-Administered With Atorvastatin, in Subjects With Hypertriglyceridemia [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Omacor (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) combined with atorvastatin for lowering non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) in hypertriglyceridemic subjects.

Atorvastatin for HAART Suboptimal Responders [Completed]
We hypothesise that atorvastatin changes immune activation among HAART-treated adults with suboptimal cluster cell differentiation 4 (CD4) recovery by 25%

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Side Effects

Myalgia (581)Death (580)Myocardial Infarction (379)Blood Cholesterol Increased (372)Cerebrovascular Accident (354)Pain in Extremity (338)Muscle Spasms (287)Arthralgia (286)Pain (279)Malaise (256)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 42 ratings/reviews, Lipitor has an overall score of 6.76. The effectiveness score is 7.62 and the side effect score is 7.43. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Lipitor review by 44 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   incontinence
Dosage & duration:   4mg taken daily for the period of 3 years - ongoing
Other conditions:   continual lack of control over bladder due to chemical imbalance
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   regulated bladder control to allow patient (me) to return to a regular life and not have to modify all movements by where the nearest bathroon is located.
Side effects:   none
Comments:   Single capsule taken in morning.

 

Lipitor review by 48 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   high cholesterol
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken daily for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   lower cholesterol
Side effects:   none
Comments:   daily with water at nite. and every three month blood test for liver issues.

 

Lipitor review by 53 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   High Cholesterol
Dosage & duration:   20 mg taken daily for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   mitral valve murmer
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I did not take the drug long enough to see any substantial beneficial effects
Side effects:   I developed terrible weakness and pain in bilateral knees. I went from being extremely active to being unable to walk up a flight of stairs. It felt as though my knees would crumble under me.By the second week, I could barely walk up more than 3 steps. My doctor took me off the medication immediately, but the effects lasted about 6 months.
Comments:   My physician then tried a series of different medications for cholesterol. I was on Crestor, Simvastatin, and Zocor, all with the same side effect. My physician then ordered a lipid blood test to determine if the type of lipid found in my blood would promote cardiac disease, which thank goodness it didn't. I have a family history of elevated cholesterol: all the women in the family are on one of the cholesterol lowering medications: I am the only one in my family that experienced the above side effects.

See all Lipitor reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2017-08-15

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