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Side Effects of Lipitor Tablets

Lipitor is a medication for high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fat like substance the body needs to produce hormones. It is located in cell walls everywhere in the body. If there is too much cholesterol in the body, it deposits in the arteries. The most dangerous areas are the coronary (heart) arteries. The major cause of high cholesterol is a diet high in saturated fat. Cholesterol levels can be lowered with exercise, a low fat diet, high fiber, and a medication such as Lipitor.

  1. Identification

    • According to the Lipitor website, Lipitor lowers bad cholesterol 39 to 60 percent in most patients and raises the good cholesterol by five to nine percent. It also lowers triglycerides, which are a fat found in the blood, by 19 to 37 percent. Lipitor is the number one prescribed medication for high cholesterol. It is approved by the Federal Drug Administration to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart disease. Fifteen years of research back up the Lipitor claims. Lipitor does not have an approved generic form of the medication.

    Function

    • Lipitor is a statin and statins lower cholesterol. They block an enzyme in the liver that the body uses to make cholesterol. When there is less cholesterol, then the liver takes it from the blood. The result is lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Patients taking Lipitor may see lower cholesterol numbers in just two weeks.

    Effects

    • Lipitor can cause side effects. The common side effects are headache, constipation, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, rash, muscle pain, and joint pain. A small number of people experience severe side effects. They are muscle problems that can lead to kidney failure. Liver problems are possible, so your doctor may do blood tests and monitor the liver. If the dosage is lowered, the symptoms usually go away or your doctor may stop the medication.

    Considerations

    • If you experience muscle weakness or muscle pain, vomiting, dark urine, extreme tiredness, stomach pain, yellow skin or yellow in the eyes, notify your doctor. It's important to tell your doctor what medications you are taking, if you drink alcohol, are diabetic, have kidney problems, or thyroid problems.

    Warning

    • Pregnant women or women, who are considering pregnancy, should not take Lipitor. It can pass to the unborn child. Women who are breastfeeding should not take Lipitor because it can pass through the breast milk. Anyone having liver problems should not take Lipitor.

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