Lipitor
Lipitor questions and answers
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Q: Is there much difference between Vytorin and Lipitor other than price?
My Cholesteral is high and my DR prescribed Vytorin. I have no prescription insurance and was shocked to find the cheapest price on Vytorin was 124.00 per month. Lipitor (which is another choleteral lowering drug) comes in generic and is much cheaper. Before I consult my DR does anyone know if there is a real big difference in Vytorin and Lipitor other than the outstanding cost difference? Thanks.
A: Both Vytorin and Lipitor work well. They are in the same class of drugs.
As for Lipitor being a generic, I think you are mistaken. There are other drugs in that class that ARE generic, will work for MOST people and are MUCH cheaper.
1) Tell your MD that you have no Rx coverage (so he knows that cost is definately a factor) most MD's don't have a clue as to what a med costs, all they have time to know is which drug rep bought their lunch this week.
2) Ask him if you can use Simvastatin (brand is Zocor). It is availiable in generic, was one of the first HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (that class of cholesterol drugs) approved and has been widely studied.
3) If he says no, ask him for a specific reason why you need Vytorin (or any other brand name drug). Unless your numbers are extremely high (in which case Simvastatin might not bring them down far enough), he really has no reason to prescribe the brand name drug. Vytorin is a little more potent, but that is really the only different. It works slightly better for people with extremely high numbers. If you can't afford to take the med, then the best drug on the planet is worhtless to you.
Its like why pay for premium gas at the pump when the regular unleaded will get you where you need to go ?
4) Know that these drugs do carry some risk. You doctor should do a blood test not only to check your cholesterol level, but your liver function before you start on the meds. Then his should check your cholesterol and liver function sometime bewteen 2 and 6 months after being on the meds (usually at month 3 is most common). Be aware that ALL meds in this class carry this risk, not just the simvastatin. If you have any of the side effects listed in the prescription info, stop the med immediately and call your MD (especially muscle cramps).
Best of luck to you. Via meds, exercise, and diet you can greatly effect your cholesterol level. Other than quitting smoking, helping manage your cholesterol and blood pressure are the two most important things you can do to lower your long term risk of having a major cardiovascular event (stroke, heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, etc...)
Major studies in both the U.S. and Europe have PROVEN that you can extend people's lives by keeping their cholesterol within acceptable levels. This is one of the few absolutes in medicine.
Do what you have to do to get your numbers down.
I don't usually put my title on replies, but if you need to add validation to my reply, I have a doctorate of pharmacy and am a practicing clinician.
Q: Is there evidence that psoriasis could be linked to taking medications like Lipitor?
I have psoriasis on the palms of both hands.... no medication prescribed for this condition seems to do much good. I believe that psoriasis is caused by a liver disorder... and Lipitor can definitely cause problems in the liver. I'm trying to find an answer in order to cure the psoriasis.
A: Hi, The cause of psoriasis is not known (that is why there is no cure) and nobody is in the position to tell you when it will subside or flare up more. You can try one of the natural treatments available on the Internet (just google "natural treatment of psoriasis") and take your pick. Some of them do actually work. For my psor. I use herbal cream by Champori quite successfully. It takes just a couple of weeks to clear the spots and they then stay clear for months on end.
Try it: Champori is available online without prescription and comes with money back guarantee so if it doesn't work for you - it's free.
Miko
Q: What are some things my grandmother should avoid when taking Lipitor?
My grandmother is taking Lipitor for her cholesterol. She is worried that she can't drink coffee while on medication??? Help please! thank you!!!
A: First thing is to AVOID THE LIPITOR! That drug is dangerous and should not be on the market.
Statin drugs like Lipitor, lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. In many cases these drugs activate the Atrogin-1 gene that plays a key role in muscle atrophy. Three separate tests showed that even at low concentrations, statin drugs led to Atrogin-1 induced muscle damage. As the concentrations increased, the damage increased as well. This is why many people have muscle cramps and aches when taking these drugs. Since the heart is a muscle, does it make sense to activate the Atrogin-1 gene that causes muscle atrophy? Additionally, the production of Coenzyme Q-10 is greatly reduced by 50% in just 30 days from taking statin drugs. This co-enzyme is vital to good heart function, making collagen for structural integrity, and most importantly every cell in the body needs this coenzyme to produce ATP for cellular energy. There are some disease consequences from having low Coenzyme Q-10 such as rhabdomyolysis, hepatitis, myopathy, neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, vertigo, congestive heart failure. Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially fatal disease where muscle tissue deteriorates as a result of a deficiency of Coenzyme Q-10. This is in addition to the activation of the Atrogin-1 gene. In addition to these problems from taking statin drugs things like cognitive loss, neuropathy, anemia, acidosis, frequent fevers, cataracts, and sexual dysfunction have also been reported as side effects.
It is BAD SCIENCE that says cholesterol numbers above 200 are bad. A woman should have a total cholesterol between 240 and 300 for longevity and the ability to make good STEROID HORMONES.
The body makes 85% of the cholesterol found in the body and only 15% comes from diet. If you eat less cholesterol, your body just makes more. Controlling the cholesterol levels in people is just a way for drug companies to sell billions of dollars of that and other drugs, nothing more. Cholesterol does NOT cause heart disease. Even the American Heart Associations says that.
Your grandmother will need to watch her blood pressure now very carefully because reducing the cholesterol in her body will affect her ability to repair arteries and STROKE will now become a higher risk for her. She needs to become educated on this issue and not listen to the INDOCTRINATION that is happening everywhere on this subject.
EDIT: Tweety, the biggest drug interaction from taking Lipitor is Lipitor itself. It is reacting with the body in ways that no one should have to endure, ever. It is a dangerous drug, addressing a make believe problem, and is damaging so many people, yet our illustrious medical system seems to still believe the ego maniac, Ancel Keys, was credible and his lipid hypothesis that created this lunacy was credible. When someone asks the question, they need to learn the truth, not some sugar coated medical indoctrination dreamed up by a pharmaceutical company with a profit agenda regardless of the health problems that drug is creating, like liver cancer!
I liked your suggestion to see a pharmacist about his opinion on Lipitor. Here is a guy on Yahoo Answers that is a pharmacist that will give you his opinion: "aceofspd"
good luck
Q: Questions about side effects of Lipitor, toprol re heart and stopping meds?
I have ischemia and irregular heartbeat which I don't really understand, erratic high blood pressure, an injured knee which is always kind of swollen (inflammed?), carpal tunnel and an ongoing neck injury from legal computer work (which I no longer do). I felt so exhausted, very weak, very depressed, mentally confused and slow. Needless to say, the incapable, weak, incompetent affects have never beeen a part of my life before. THEREFORE, I decided to stop all meds about 3 weeks ago. I really feel so much better and stronger. A nurse told me, no matter what, don't take Lipitor; as you get older your muscles will all be wasted and you don't want that. I DON'T want that. Now I am wondering what to do about the ischemia and clogged arteries . I'm leary of my heart dr. who told me I could take Adderall with ischemia and an inflammation bec. it speeds up my erratic heart??? Inflammation is not supposed to be good for ischemia. Can anyone help me understand where to do from here?
A: Find the nurse who gave you the advice about LIpitor and buy her dinner. people within the medical fraternity like this are are pure gold. Perhaps she could even reccomend a doctor who also hasn't been brainwashed by the pharmaceutical industry. Lipitor does have loads of side effects
http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/statin.html
http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/lipitor.pl?#4666
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2004/03/18/lipitor_side_effects_and_natural_remedy.htm
http://www.medications.com/se/lipitor
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2004/01/31/lipitor_the_human_cost.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml;jsessionid=ZJOYYS1UJXIGJQFIQMFCFF4AVCBQYIV0?xml=/health/2007/07/02/hdrug102.xml
Every trial for statins has shown no overall decrease in mortality, except in men who have already had a heart attack, or are dibetic. For all other men these trials have shown an increase in death from other causes that counters the decrease in death from heart attack.
No trial has ever shown a benefit for women to take statins, some even showing an increase in mortality
http://www.medicalconsumers.org/pages/WomenandCholesterol-LoweringDrugs.html
None of the proponents of statins here can ever show one randomised, double blind tial that shows a benefit (using absolute rather than relative risk) to men who have not had a heart attack, or to women full stop. This includes those from within the industry, such as Harmony
Q: I have been taking lipitor and it causes terrilble gas and abdominal pain - what else can I use?
I have called my dr. and waiting for him to call back. Can't sleep at night from the terrible pain and diarreha. I had stent put in right artery one month ago, thus the mega 80mgs of lipitor. Taking Plavix also. Would Nexium taken right now help the damage that the lipitor caused? What else can I do right now to stop the pain and the diarreha? Have never had this kind of pain before and it scares me. Would appreciate any help from you. I have posted before and have gotten good advice. thank you.
A: Imodium tablets - take two every time you have a bowel movement will stop the diarrhea.
The supplement , "red rice yeast" will take down cholesterol levels as good as any medical drug, two capsules twice daily. There are no side effects. Also metamucil and lecithin will reduce cholesterol levels. Try these and I can guarantee there are no negative side effects.
Q: If Lipitor can modify my immune system enough to make it effective in transplant surgery. Is it safe?
I know it causes heart attacks and strokes and depletes the Co Enzyme Q10 that makes our heart strong but in transplant surgery to helpin controlling rejection by shutting down my immune system? I know that a lot have died taking it.
A: not safe..
Q: what are the side effects for Lipitor and Lisinopril ?
I've just been put on these meds and i'm very worried about side effects of all the meds that are on the market nodays. Seems the side effects are worse for you then what the meds are suppose to heal.
A: There are several and can be easily looked up at the web site for the drug manufacturers.
On a practical note..
Lipitor is atorvastatin..all statins can cause liver enzyme elevation and rarely liver injury.
Muscle inflammation or myositis is another side effect we watch for very closely
As far as todays medicine go...Statins seem to have way more benefits than side effects...the benefits also seem to be beyond merely decreasing cholesterol..
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme), obviously it can cause low blood pressure..
One of the most common sideeffects are a presistant dry cough.
In susceptable people it can cause a sever form of allergy called angioedema which could be dangerous..
In people with blockages of the renal arteries it can cause severe renal failure...
Again current evidence shows that for diabetics, patients with heart attacks, and Heart failure that this class of medicine may decrease death rate. Some side effects of ACE inhibitors can be overcome by changing to another related class of meicines called ARB's like Diovan.
Q: How many of you who have toe cramps take lipitor?
I am trying to analyze medicinal effects I may be experiencing and taking my own survey. I have just stopped taking lipitor after several years--5 or more---to see if I feel any changes ---looking for answers to toe cramps, anxiety, vertigo, mostly.
tchmusik
A: My husband was on Lipitor for a couple years and he had cramping and muscle spasms from the drug. It is listed as a precaution to the medicine.
Q: How serious is the restriction on grapefruit when taking Lipitor?
Warning labels don't specify the nature of the interaction. Can I eat a 1/2 grapefruit?
A: Here is the exact quote on Grape fruit juice and Lipitor:
"Grapefruit juice: Contains one or more components that inhibit CYP3A4 and can increase plasma concentrations of drugs metabolised by CYP3A4.
Intake of one 240 ml glass of grapefruit juice resulted in an increase in Lipitor AUC of 37 % and a decreased AUC of 20.4 % for the active orthohydroxy metabolite.
However, large quantities of grapefruit juice (over 1.2L daily for 5 days) increased AUC of Lipitor 2.5 fold.
Concomitant intake of large quantities of grapefruit juice and Lipitor is therefore not recommended."
And from this I can conclude:
1. Time of ingestion does not differ in the interaction
2. The amount of Grape fruit juice taken has an effect on the extent of interaction.
3. If you can't stop the grape fruit, you will have to monitor the cholesterol levels periodically, and you might need to adjust the dose of Lipitor accordingly.
Of course, this has to be done under the supervision of your doctor.
Q: How long have statins been used to control cholesterol and in particular, lipitor?
It seems like they have been around at least since the 90's. Thank you for your answers.
A: Since the late 80's.
Conventional high cholesterol treatment for lowering cholesterol levels is prescription statin drugs. Unfortunately, statins don't distinguish between "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and "good" cholesterol (HDL). They also reduce Co-enzyme Q10 and L-carnitine levels, important in energy production and fat metabolism. Side-effects like myalgia and stomach, lung and liver tumors have been associated with use of these drugs.
A combination of natural cholesterol remedies, regular exercise and dietary changes can make a significant impact in lowering cholesterol levels and reduce or even eliminate the need for prescription drugs.
Q: What is the effect of eating eggs, bacon and grapefruit juice on someone who is on lipitor?
My husband is 65 and eats 4 eggs with bacon, and a large glass of grapefruit juice, 3 days a week. I am worried about him, but he says it won't hurt him. Can you give me more information to convince him he is harming himself?
A: Thank you for the question.
Bottom-line: your husband has NO BUSINESS WHATSOEVER maintaining a diet such as that, unless he is willing to suffer the medical consequences thereof.
My dear, does your husband know WHY his doctor is treating him with Lipitor? Does his doctor know about this diet, because if he did, he would be as furious as I am. If I were his doctor, I'd seriously consider firing him from my practice, which I personally have done many times in my career.
Beyond the obvious culprits in his diet, the grape fruit juice is hazardous, because it interacts with the Lipitor by increasing the blood levels of the drug, which can lead to potentially dangerous side effects on his liver and muscles.
Please, do your husband a favor, and haul his ignorant and gluttonous rear-end into his doctor's office for a heart-to-heart (pun definitely intended), before your husband finds himself on a cardiac catheterization table (if he hasn't already).
Q: Anyone know how effective LIPITOR is to reduce cholesterol and to prevent heartattacks and strokes ?
I'm 37 and been put on it for the rest of my life - with all the news lately about cholesterol-reducing drugs not working , I was wondering if anyone has experience with THIS particular one...
Thanks in advance !
:)
A: The articles have been about the non-statin drugs. Lipitor is a statin and can be highly effective. It does have potential side effects that you need to be aware of. Be sure and read the insert that comes with the medications... or google it and read about what you should know.