If you’ve been told that your cholesterol is too high, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name atorvastatin.
It’s one of a group of medicines known as statins, which are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
But what exactly does atorvastatin do? Why might someone need to take it for years? And which side effects should you know about?
Here’s a straightforward guide.
What Is Atorvastatin?
Atorvastatin is a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication. One well-known brand name is Lipitor.
It belongs to a family of medicines called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, better known as statins.
Your body needs some cholesterol to function normally. However, having too much LDL cholesterol — often called “bad” cholesterol — can contribute to fatty deposits called plaques forming inside arteries.
Over time, this can increase
the risk of cardiovascular disease.
