Lipitor (generic: Atorvastatin)

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Lipitor^®
(generic name: Atorvastatin)

Lipitor is used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fat-like substances) levels in the blood. Using this medicine may help prevent medical problems caused by such substances clogging the blood vessels. It may also be used to reduce the risk of heart attack, blood vessel blockage, or chest pain.

Lipitor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (also known as a "statin") used in combination with a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and to raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in our blood. It may also be used in certain adolescent patients, age 10 to 17 years, who have a genetically caused cholesterol problem. If you evenr bought Lipitor, you already know it is pretty expensive medicine...

Is generic atorvastatin as good as brand-name Lipitor®
Fortunately, a generic version of the brand-name Lipitor is also available. Generic atorvastatin is as effective as the brand-name drug. Like the brand-name drug, a generic equivalent is used as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and triglyceride levels in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous familial and non familial) and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Types IIa and IIb). It belongs to the group of medicines called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking an enzyme that is needed by the body to make cholesterol, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

natural remedies for lowering cholesterol

There are also several herbs and natural supplements which have been studied and proven to have the abilities to lower cholesterol and blood triglycerides levels. Some of them could work alone, while some of them should be used in conjunction with other medicine. Here you can find more information about cholesterol lowering supplements.