Ratings & Reviews

Lipitor is a statin that is used by people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.  In addition, Lipitor is used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood.  High levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and other heart diseases.  In recent years, Lipitor has been the top-selling branded prescription drug in the world.

The drug works by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme found in liver tissue that plays an important role in production of cholesterol in the body.  Use of Lipitor may result in rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle breaks down and results in the release of damaged muscle cells into the bloodstream.  Rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney failure.

Common side effects include weakness, insomnia, dizziness, chest pain, peripheral edema, rash, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, urinary tract infection, arthralgia, myalgia, back pain, arthritis, and bronchitis.  Recently, lawsuits have been filed against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Lipitor, due to claims that Lipitor caused lasting, debilitating muscle and nerve problems, including memory loss.