Lipitor - Lipitor Side Effects
Lipator? Lipotor?
Lipitor, generic name (Atorvastatin) is prescription cholesterol-lowering medication mainly used to block the production of cholesterol in the body. It is composed of inactive ingredients such as calcium carbonate, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, talc, and polysorbate. Although there are other inactive ingredients that make up Lipitor, the main or active ingredient is atorvastatin. By lowering your cholesterol, Lipitor helps fight off heart attacks, strokes, and vascular disease. Lipitor is also good for people with coronary heart diseases; most common misspellings are Lipator and Lipotor.)
Like all medications there are a few side effects that are associated with Lipitor. Some of the more common, but less serious Lipitor side effects include muscle pain, stuffy nose, constipation, upset stomach, and itchy skin. A few of the more serious yet less common symptoms include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, flu, and fever symptoms. One of the Lipitor side effects, muscle pain, is unique from the others as it can be both severe and/or not severe. So, it is important that if you are taking Lipitor and you start to experience muscle pain, you need to consult your doctor. Lipitor also has a rather unusual side effect. One of the more serious side effects Lipitor has been known to cause discoloration of the urine, causing it to be a much darker color than normal. However, there may be other side effects not listed, and you may have a different experience with this medication.
Understand that the effectiveness of Lipitor increases when it is taken correctly and safely. Although it is not mandatory that you take Lipitor with food, it is advised that it is taken with a full glass of water. You should also realize that along with Lipitor, lowering your cholesterol will require a lifestyle change, in which you eliminate or cut back on foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.
If you considering Lipitor, it is important you disclose all of your current medications to your physician, as Lipitor may not work well with all medications. Although most medications request that you do not drink alcohol. It is important that you heed this warning while taking Lipitor, as the combination of the two may result in liver damage.
For those with significantly high cholesterol, the benefits of Lipitor will greatly outweigh the risks and side effects. Yet, along with changing your diet you may want to increase your exercise. Although Lipitor will lower cholesterol, it is important that you do everything you can to ensure that you live a long and healthy life. (Again this medication is often misspelled as Lipator or Lipotor.