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Atorvastatin History

Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor, is a modern statin drug used to lower serum levels of cholesterol. Atorvastatin is a synthetic statin, unlike earlier statins that were extracted from natural sources. It works by both preventing the production of cholesterol in the body and by encouraging absorption of existing cholesterol into the body.

  1. Early Natural Statins

    • Natural statin drugs have been known to herbal and natural medicine for centuries. One of these natural cholesterol-lowering remedies is red rice yeast. This yeast was not only prescribed as a Chinese medicine, it was also included as a common staple food. Red rice yeast is a main ingredient in Chinese red barbecued pork.

    Early Statin Extracts

    • Early statins, the predecessors to atorvastatin, were produced by extracting naturally occurring statins from different sources, including red rice yeast. The problem with extracting statins from natural sources was supply and control over the molecule.

    Synthetic Statins

    • The desire for better results from statin drugs and for drugs not dependent on limited natural supplies led to the development of synthetic statins. Atorvastatin was first created in 1985. It was released a few years later after successful clinical trials. The development of atorvastatin triggered other manufacturers to look for synthetic statins that were cheaper and more effective.

    Other Effects on Blood Fats

    • Atorvastatin lowers both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or the "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol. However, atorvastatin lowers LDL cholesterol much more than HDL cholesterol, resulting in a much healthier balance. In addition, it lowers blood fats known as triglycerides, which are also linked to heart and artery disease.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of atorvastatin can include gas, bloating, constipation and upset stomach. The drug can trigger or compound liver and kidney problems, so frequent liver function tests are often recommended. Atorvastatin has also been linked to birth defects and should not be taken by women who are pregnant.

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