Lipitor

Drug name

Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Drug Uses

Lipitor is intended to decrease the cholesterol in human blood. High cholesterol and fats level in the blood contributes to atherosclerosis (low blood flow and shortened oxygen supply to internal. Preventing this process will help you to avoid heart disease, angina (Chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

How Taken

The medicine comes in the form of the tablet for oral usage. The common daily dosage is one tablet. Take the medicine at the same time each day to prevent missing doses. You may be prescribed low initial dose of the medicine that will be increase further step by step. Do not stop your treatment in case your condition turns better. Contact your doctor before stopping your therapy.

Missed Dose

In case you have missed to take the medicine do it at the moment you have remembered but skip it in case it is the time of your next dosage and follow your usual schedule. You shouldn’t use double dose simultaneously.

Storage

The medicine should be stored in its original impermeable container in the place beyond the reach of children. Keep the drug at the room temperature in a cool and dry place. Discard any drug with expired term of use. Contact your doctor in case you are not sure how to discard the drug.

Warnings Precautions

Let your doctor know your medical history (especially if you have liver disease, chronic muscular disease, require major surgery, or have a blood disorder). You may be prohibited to use the medicine or your dosage should be changed as well as additional monitoring may be required in case any of these factors apply to you. The medicine may harm te human fetus. Contact your doctor before taking the medicine throughout pregnancy and breast-feeding periods.

Possible Side Effects

The medicine usually causes no side effects, however taking the medicine can lead to following effects. Contact you doctor in case any of them persist for a long period of time:

• gas
• stomach pain or cramps
• diarrhea
• constipation
• heartburn
• headache
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• rash or itching
• upset stomach

Contact your doctor at once in case you have:

• muscle pain
• tenderness
• muscle cramps or weakness with or without a fever.

More Information

Taking the medicine can cause muscle and liver problems sometimes. Contact your healthcare provider in case you have muscle pain along with flulike symptoms or yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, dark colored urine or pale colored stools.

Do not take the medicine and contact you doctor in case you have:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• decreased urine or rust-colored urine; or
• blurred vision.

Do not stop treatment and contact your doctor in case you have:

• headache;
• upset stomach or flatulence; or
• a rash.

Taking the medicine can also cause other side effects not mentioned here.