Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin, sold under the trade name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment. It is taken by mouth. Atorvastatin, sold under the trade name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include joint pain, diarrhea, heart burn, nausea, and muscle pains. Serious side effects may include rhabdomyolysis, liver problems, and diabetes. Use during pregnancy may harm the baby. Like all statins, atorvastatin works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme found in the liver that plays a role in producing cholesterol. Atorvastatin was patented in 1986 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1996. It is available as a generic medication. In the United States, the wholesale cost per month is about 3.80 USD as of 2018. In the United Kingdom, it costs the NHS about £0.70 per month as of 2018. In 2016, it was the 3rd most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 96 million prescriptions. The primary uses of atorvastatin is for the treatment of dyslipidemia and the prevention of cardiovascular disease: Studies suggest that high-dose statin therapy may play a plaque-stabilizing role in people with acute coronary syndrome and thrombotic stroke. Statins, including atorvastatin, have a small beneficial effect on preventing the loss of kidney function and on reducing loss of protein in urine in people with cardiovascular disease. Statins, including atorvastatin, before heart surgery does not prevent acute kidney injury. There is tentative evidence that statins such as atorvastatin may decrease the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Atorvastatin may be used in combination with bile acid sequestrants and ezetimibe to increase the reduction in cholesterol levels. However, It is not recommended to combine statin medication treatment with certain other cholesterol-lowering medications, particularly fibrates, because this may increase the risk of myopathy-related adverse effects.