Lipitor Articles

Increase Your Age With Lipitor

18 January 2007

High cholesterol may not be your fault. Even if you are thin, active and eat right, you may inherit it from members of your family. In fact, 1 in 5 adults has high cholesterol. Even if you're young, active, and thin and watch your diet, you could have high cholesterol. And you may not be able to lower your cholesterol enough with diet and exercise alone. In fact, for 2 out of 3 adults with high cholesterol, diet and exercise may not lower cholesterol enough. Everyone has cholesterol in their blood. It is a type of fat needed by the body for many things, such as building cell walls, making bile acids (which help to digest food) and some hormones. However, too much cholesterol can be a problem. Cholesterol is present in many foods and is also made in your body by the liver. If your body makes too much cholesterol or you take too much cholesterol in your diet, then your level becomes too high. High cholesterol is more likely to occur with certain diseases or if you have a family history of high cholesterol. There are different types of cholesterol.

LDL is the 'bad' cholesterol that can block your blood vessels. HDL cholesterol is the 'good' cholesterol that is thought to remove the bad cholesterol from the blood vessels. When you have high levels of 'bad' cholesterol in your blood, it may begin to 'stick' to the inside of your blood vessels instead of being carried to the parts of the body where it is needed. Over time, this can form hard areas, also called plaque, on the walls of your blood vessels, making it more difficult for the blood to flow. If cholesterol builds up you may be at risk for heart disease or heart attack.

For two thirds of men and women, diet and exercise may not lower cholesterol enough. Adding lipitor can help. If you have multiple risk factors for heart disease, lipitor is proven to reduce the risk of having a heart attack and stroke. If you're having a hard time lowering your cholesterol with diet and exercise alone, or are concerned about heart disease, talk to your doctor about lipitor. Lipitor has been proven to lower your total cholesterol by 29% to 45% (average effect depending on dose). Lower your "bad," low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 39% to 60% (average effect depending on dose). Reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke if you have multiple risk factors including family history, high blood pressure, age, low HDL ("good" cholesterol), or smoking. There is no other cholesterol-lowering medication like lipitor. Lipitor is a unique molecule. It is the only cholesterol-lowering medication backed by over 400 ongoing and completed clinical studies of over 80,000 patients.

Lipitor Drug belongs to a group of medicines called HMG-COA reductase inhibitors. It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lipitor reduces the 'bad' cholesterol and raises the 'good' cholesterol. Lipitor also helps to protect you from a heart attack or stroke. Lipitor does not reduce the cholesterol and triglycerides that come from fat in food. Therefore, when you are taking lipitor, you also need to follow a low fat diet and other measures, such as exercise and weight control. In most people, there are no symptoms of abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Your doctor can measure your levels with a simple blood test. Your doctor may have prescribed lipitor for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why lipitor has been prescribed for you. Lipitor is not addictive.

Take lipitor only when prescribed by your doctor. The usual dose of lipitor is between 10-80 mg taken once a day. Swallow lipitor with a glass of water or other liquid. If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. Lipitor can be taken at any time of the day. However, your dose of lipitor should be taken at about the same time each day. Taking your tablet(s) at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablet(s). Lipitor can be taken with or without food. Lipitor helps to lower your levels of cholesterol, but it does not cure your condition. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed by your doctor if you expect to lower your cholesterol and keep it down. You may have to take cholesterol-lowering medicine for the rest of your life. If you stop taking lipitor, your cholesterol levels may rise again. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablet(s) as you would normally.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking lipitor. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Tell your doctor if you notice constipation, diarrhea, wind, heartburn or indigestion, stomach or belly pain, nausea, headache, trouble sleeping. These are the more common side effects, and are usually mild and short-lived. Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital if you notice swelling of the face, lips, mouth throat or neck which may cause difficulty in swallowing and breathing, un-expected muscle pain, tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise, rashes and itching. Do not be alarmed by the list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.