This medication is used to treat patients who have unusually high cholesterol levels. In combination with a low-fat diet, this medication will effectively lower these patients LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while, at the same time, increasing their HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
How This Medication Works
As was aforementioned, this medication is used in conjunction with dietary changes in order to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances that are in a patient's blood. The way in which this works is by slowing the body's production of cholesterol. This is important because any type of buildup of either cholesterol or fat along the blood vessels' walls will decrease the blood's ability to flow. In turn, this will decrease the flow of oxygen to the heart, brain and other body parts. Eventually this can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and angina. This can be prevented by lowering a person's cholesterol level
How This Medication Should Be Taken
Lipitor comes in the form of a tablet that is to be taken orally. Usually it is taken once or twice a day either with or without food, but it is better to take this medication on an empty stomach, if at all possible. Doctors will usually start their patients on a low dose and then gradually increase it. They will also encourage their patients to eat a diet that is low in bot cholesterol and fat.
In order to remember to take this medication, it should be taken around the same time each day. For best results, you should take it around bedtime since studies have shown that cholesterol is created at an increased between midnight and 5A.M. You may crush or split it if you need to do so.
It will take between two to four weeks in order for this medication to take full effect. You should then continue taking this medication even if you begin to feel better. Make sure that you do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first.
