New Uses for Cholesterol-lowering Drug
A popular cholesterol-lowering drug called Lipitor (atorvastatin) is back in the news. The manufacturer recently announced that the FDA had approved five new indications for this drug. These include indications for reducing the risk of nonfatal heart attacks, strokes, certain types of heart surgery, hospitalization for heart failure, and pain in the
chest related to heart disease. According to news releases, these new indications will allow physicians to prescribe Lipitor for persons with existing heart disease. The approval of these five new indications is based primarily on the results of two studies. In one of these studies, persons who took 80mg experienced significant reductions in heart-related events and the risk of hospitalization for hearth failure compared to those who received only 10 mg of the drug.
Lipitor is the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drug. Although Lipitor is very commonly prescribed, it should not be used by persons with liver problems or women of child-bearing age or women who are nursing. The most common side effects are mild and include abdominal gas, constipation, and heartburn.