Lipitor's Homepage:"Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Atorvastatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early and rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis."
http://www.lipitor.com/

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Atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor), NursesPDR.com:"Adjunct to diet when diet and other nonpharmacological methods have not produced an adequate response in primary hypercholesterolemia (including heterozygous familial and non familial hypercholesterolemia), mixed dyslipidemia (including Frederickson types IIa and IIb), hypertriglyceridemia (including Frederickson type IV), primary dysbetalipoproteinemia (including Frederickson type III), and homozygous familial hyperlipidemia."
http://www.nursespdr.com/members/database/ndrhtml/atorvastatin.html

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AHA Scientific Sessions: Aggressive Cholesterol Lowering With Lipitor Results In Significant Cardiovascular Benefit:"DALLAS, TX -- Nov. 11, 1998 -- The results of a landmark trial presented here today revealed that patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) achieved significant cardiovascular benefit by aggressively reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to levels below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)."
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/c094e.htm

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Atorvastatin Calcium, Drug Class and Mechanism, Medicinenet.com:"Atorvastatin is an oral drug that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood. It belongs to a class of drugs referred to as statins which includes lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin, (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol0, and pravastatin (Pravachol). All statins, including atorvastatin, prevent the production of cholesterol by the liver by blocking the enzyme that makes cholesterol, HMGCoA reductase. They lower total blood cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol levels. (LDL cholesterol is believed to be the "bad" cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the development of coronary artery disease.) Lowering LDL cholesterol levels retards progression and may even reverse coronary artery disease. Unlike the other drugs in this class, atorvastatin also can reduce the concentration of triglycerides in the blood. High blood concentrations of triglycerides also have been associated with coronary artery disease. Atorvastatin was approved by the FDA in December of 1996."
http://www.medicinenet.com/atorvastatin/article.htm

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Atorvastatin, Oral, PersonalMD.com:"Atorvastatin is used, along with a cholesterol-lowering diet, to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides helps prevent strokes and heart attacks."
http://www.personalmd.com/drgdb/284.htm

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Atorvastatin, Indication and Dosage, RXlist.com:"Atorvastatin is also indicated to reduce total-C and LDL-C in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering treatments (e.g., LDL apheresis) or if such treatments are unavailable. Therapy with lipid-altering agents should be a component of multiple-risk-factor intervention in individuals at increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease due to hypercholesterolemia. Lipid-altering agents should be used in addition to a diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol only when the response to diet and other nonpharmacological measures has been inadequate (see National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Guidelines, summarized in TABLE 5)."
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/atorvastatin_ids.htm

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Atorvastatin, How It Works, WholehealthMD.com:"Atorvastatin blocks the action of an enzyme required for the manufacture of cholesterol, thereby interfering with its formation. By lowering the amount of cholesterol in the liver cells, atorvastatin increases the formation of receptors for LDL, and thereby reduces blood levels of total and LDL cholesterol. In addition to lowering LDL cholesterol, atorvastatin also modestly reduces triglyceride levels and raises HDL (the so-called "good") cholesterol."
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/drugs_view/1,1524,665,00.html

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Articles:

Why do drugs cost so much?: MSNBC News
http://www.msnbc.com/news/245699.asp

Related Topics: Antihyperlipidemics, Cardiac Medications, Cholesterol Lowering Drugs, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Diet Pills, Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)

Related Drugs: Advicor, Baycol, Cerivistatin, Lescol, Fluvastatin, Lipitor, Pravachol, Pravastatin, Tricor, Fenofibrate, Zocor, Simvastatin

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