atorvastatin

Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and to treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment in reducing cholesterol. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects may include diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, muscle pain (typically mild and dose-dependent) and, less frequently, joint pain. Muscle symptoms often occur during the first year and are commonly influenced by pre-existing health issues and the nocebo effect. Most patients can continue therapy with dose adjustment or statin switching. Rare (3.75 mmol/L), findings are inconsistent and potentially misleading. Evidence suggests that LDL-C levels are not a reliable predictor of mortality in the hemodialysis population given the complex interplay of patient factors in ESRD. Therefore, LDL-C levels cannot be considered a true predictor of composite risk. Additionally, the impact and relevance of hemodialysis on statin levels and efficacy were not addressed in these trials. Liver impairment: Increased drug levels can be seen in people with advanced cirrhosis. Despite these concerns, a 2017 systematic review and analysis of available evidence has shown that statins, such as atorvastatin, are relatively safe to use in stable, asymptomatic cirrhosis and may even reduce the risk of liver disease progression and death.