How to Use Lipitor to Treat Cholesterol

High cholesterol increases a person's risk of heart disease and stroke. When doctors see a patient at high risk for one of these conditions, they prescribe a healthy diet, weight loss if indicated and regular exercise. Sometimes these factors alone are unable to reduce the cholesterol to a healthy level. When this is the case, doctors often use Lipitor (also called atorvastatin) to treat high cholesterol.

Things You'll Need

• Blood tests
• Exercise plan
• Lipitor
• Healthy eating plan
• Water
• Barrier birth control
• Doctor

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Instructions

Use Lipitor to Treat Cholesterol

• 1

  See your family physician to discuss the use of Lipitor to treat your high cholesterol. He will ask you about your general health and the medications you take. Be sure to tell him if you are diabetic, have kidney or liver disease or if your immune system is compromised.

• 2

  Submit to blood tests as needed. These tests will measure your cholesterol before starting Lipitor as well as during treatment. Your doctor may also test your kidney function to ensure that they are working properly while you are taking cholesterol medication.

• 3

  Take the Lipitor as directed with a full glass of water. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while using this statin drug. Alcohol may raise your triglyceride levels, which defeats the purpose of using lipid-lowering medicine.

• 4

  Keep your Lipitor in a tightly closed container away from direct light and moisture. Store the container in a closed cabinet, instead of on a windowsill or near a sink.

• 5

  Cut back on red meat, fried foods and other foods that contain a lot of fat. Healthy eating is an important part of managing your cholesterol levels.

• 6

  Work out at least 3 times a week to maintain a healthy body and help lower your cholesterol naturally. Try to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes each time, whether it is walking, running or playing a sport.

• 7

  Read about the side effects that you may experience when you take Lipitor. Common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, a stuffy nose and itching. Notify your doctor right away if you experience muscle pain or weakness along with a fever.

• 8

  Employ a barrier method of birth control when using Lipitor. Lipitor can decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives and may cause birth defects if you become pregnant while taking the drug. Avoid using Lipitor if you are breastfeeding an infant.