Description

Lipitor is used as an additional product for the treatment of hypercholesterinemia. It contains an active ingredient Atorvastatin that is able to lower the cholesterol level in the blood.

Lipitor is often used in cases when neither diet, nor physical exercises cause a reduction of the cholesterol level in the blood. Or it is also used when the cholesterol level is too high and there is a risk of the vascular occlusion.

Lipitor provides a soft action. It blocks the production of cholesterol in liver and increases a number of receptors on the liver that take part in catabolism of triglyceride and lipoproteins of the low density.

The application of Lipitor helps to lower a level of cholesterol in the blood plasma by 40-45%. In addition to diet and physical activity, it will give a good result in the short-run.

In what dose is Lipitor used?

A dose of Lipitor depends on a size of the cholesterol level in the blood plasma. Therefore, before beginning the treatment, it is necessary to take laboratory tests and find out a general cholesterol level, triglyceride level, LDL, and HDL. This is required for a selection of a good dose and controlling changes.

In case of the high level of cholesterol, Lipitor is used in the minimal daily dose of 10 mg. The pills may be used at any time, both before and after meals. It is necessary to take a medicine at the same time and not to miss any dose. The dose may be gradually increased every 2 weeks depending on the efficiency of the therapy.

• To prevent ischemic heart disease, Lipitor is used in the dose of 20 mg per day
• In case of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, 80 mg is prescribed once per day. After intensive reduction of the cholesterol level in the blood, a dose is reduced up to 40 mg or 20 mg.

In 2 weeks after beginning of the treatment, it is necessary to take the first laboratory blood tests and follow the changes. The maximal effect is usually achieved after 2-3 weeks of taking Lipitor, and that is why do not change a dose or do not use additional medicines to lower cholesterol level before that period.

Diet is the best way to improve a therapeutic effect and accelerate an excretion of the excessive cholesterol level from the body.

Precautions

• The active diseases of liver need a special approach for the treatment of hypercholesterinemia. A dose should be not more than 20 mg per day, and a patient should lay the main stress on a diet
• Children under 16 years old should not take Lipitor because its action on the child’s body is not fully studied
• The use of Lipitor is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects do not commensurate with the treatment results. It is better to pay attention to a healthy diet and increasing a physical activity.

Side effects

Using Lipitor may be accompanied by many negative side effects: fatigue, lack of energy, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, bile retention, and pancreatitis.

If the side effects bother you, it is recommended to temporarily lower a dose. The side effects usually pass during a long-term treatment.