Cholesterol is a wax-like lipid that circulates throughout your body in your blood. Cholesterol plays a number of important roles in your body, but if your cholesterol levels get too high, it can accumulate on the walls of your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Lipitor belongs to a class of medications called statins, which are among the most commonly prescribed medications for high cholesterol.
Use
If your total cholesterol levels are 240 mg/dL or higher, your doctor may prescribe the statin Lipitor to help lower your cholesterol levels. Statins work by blocking a substance in your body that the liver requires in order to make cholesterol. Statins also increase the rate at which you remove cholesterol from your bloodstream. The combination of decreased cholesterol production and increased cholesterol removal can actually reverse existing coronary artery disease, according to MayoClinic.com.
Dosage
Lipitor comes in a tablet that you take orally, usually once per day with or without food, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Lipitor should be taken at the same time every day so it is important to maintain a regular medication schedule. Usually, Lipitor is given in small doses and then dosage is increased gradually as your body adjusts. If you forget to take a dose of your medication, you should take your tablet as soon as you remember, as long as it is less than 12 hours before you are scheduled to take another tablet. You should not take a double dose of Lipitor at once.
Side Effects
Lipitor can cause a variety of different side effects. Some of the most common side effects include diarrhea, joint pain, gas, headache and constipation. These side effects are generally considered minor. Some side effects are serious. If you experience muscle pain, fever, extreme fatigue, nausea, abnormal bleeding, loss of appetite, rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Considerations
Even if you are taking Lipitor, it is still important to make dietary and lifestyle changes that can help lower your cholesterol. Limiting your saturated fat and cholesterol intake can help reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your bloodstream and further decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. Limit alcohol intake and avoid cigarette smoking. Engaging in regular exercise can also promote weight loss, which can help decrease your cholesterol levels.
