High LDL, also referred to as bad cholesterol, increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease. If you have high LDL levels, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication to help lower them. Atorvastatin, commercially known as Lipitor, Zocor or Crestor, is a class of medication used in conjunction with the proper diet and exercise to help lower high LDL levels.
How It Works
Your liver synthesizes about 75 percent of the cholesterol in your body, according to the American Heart Association. Atorvastatin works by blocking the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which the liver requires in order to properly synthesize cholesterol. When HMG-CoA reductase is inhibited, your liver cannot produce cholesterol. Atorvastatin also increases the rate at which your body reabsorbs LDL cholesterol that has already accumulated on the walls of your arteries. This can help reduce plaque accumulation and reverse coronary artery disease.
Dosage
Atorvastatin is available as a tablet that you take orally. You should take atorvastatin once per day, usually around the same time. The medication may be taken with or without food. Your doctor will usually start you on a small dose of the medication and then increase your dosage gradually based on your body's response.
Dietary Restrictions
When you take atorvastatin, it is important to follow a diet that is low in saturated fat and low in dietary cholesterol. Most of your fat intake should be in the form of unsaturated fats from oils, such as olive oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil and soybean oil. You should avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as egg yolks, whole fat dairy products, fatty cuts of meat, cheese and fried foods.
You should also limit your intake of grapefruit juice to less than 1 qt. per day. Grapefruit juice can reduce the effects of atorvastatin.
Side Effects
Although most people can tolerate atorvastatin well, some people experience side effects. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and include diarrhea, constipation, headache, gas and pain in the joints. Uncommon, but serious, side effects may include fever, muscle pain, loss of energy, fatigue, abnormal bleeding and bruising, pain in the abdomen, rash, hives, swelling of the face and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately.
