Atorvastatin is a drug, used to treat high cholesterol. It works by decreasing the production of LDL cholesterol and increasing the amount of HDL cholesterol in the body. However, it can be harmful for the muscles. To learn more about its uses, read the following article. Among its common uses, atorvastatin lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Used to treat high cholesterol
Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering drug that reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol. It works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. When taken with a proper diet and exercise, atorvastatin can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Atorvastatin is, commonly prescribed to people who have high cholesterol levels.
It is, taken orally and is, considered a safe and effective treatment for high cholesterol. In most cases, atorvastatin does not cause any symptoms, although some people do experience an increase in the amount of medication in their bloodstream. It is important to take this medication regularly, and take it at the same time each day.
Some people dislike taking medication and would rather change their lifestyle to reduce their cholesterol levels naturally. However, a change in diet and exercise may not be enough to bring about significant results. Additionally, some people have genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, which makes them more likely to develop health problems if left untreated. If you are a candidate for atorvastatin treatment, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, atorvastatin reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart surgery. It works by decreasing the amount of fatty substances in the blood and improving the removal of LDL cholesterol by the liver. The drug may be prescribed alone or in combination with bile acid resins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.
It reduces production of LDL cholesterol by the liver
Compared to placebo, atorvastatin reduces the production of LDL cholesterol by the liver. This medication has several advantages, but there are also several disadvantages. For example, it may increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage, especially among patients who already have a history of intracranial hemorrhage. However, the benefits of reducing overall stroke risk outweigh the small absolute risk of a cerebral hemorrhage.
In studies, atorvastatin reduced the level of LDL cholesterol in plasma by 20 percent to 30 percent. In addition, higher doses of statins reduced LDL cholesterol by as much as 40 percent. Moreover, they improved HDL levels and reduced triglycerides. In addition, the medication was well tolerated by hyperlipidemic patients.
The onset of action of atorvastatin is rapid; a reduction in LDL cholesterol is, observed within two weeks of starting treatment. In addition, the efficacy of atorvastatin increases with increasing doses, and once-daily doses of 2.5 to 80 mg have been associated with reductions of 25% to 61% of LDL cholesterol.
A statin can cause some side effects, such as joint pain, diarrhea, and cold symptoms. Nonetheless, it is one of the most common drugs, used to treat dyslipidemia and prevent cardiovascular disease. It reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol produced by the liver, which clogs blood vessels.
It increases HDL cholesterol
One of the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States, atorvastatin significantly increases HDL cholesterol levels. This drug reduces LDL cholesterol, a type of bad cholesterol. This drug also lowers triglycerides. Although atorvastatin increases HDL cholesterol levels, it is not known how it achieves these effects. Researchers still need to conduct further studies to confirm these findings.
To assess the effect of atorvastatin on HDL cholesterol, researchers, conducted a randomized trial in which NZW male rabbits were, randomly assigned to a control or atorvastatin treatment group. The treated rabbits were fed standard chow plus 3% coconut oil on a daily basis. After a three-week treatment period, plasma and HDL lipids and protein levels were, measured in both groups.
The results showed that the drug increased HDL-C levels more in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels than in those with high levels of HDL cholesterol. However, these differences were not significant. The biological effect of atorvastatin may have been due to a regression to the mean.
In addition to the improvement of HDL cholesterol, atorvastatin reduced plasma levels of atherogenic dense LDL-proteins. The drug significantly reduced the plasma levels of small-dense LDL-like subfractions, but it did not affect the levels of intermediate and light-dense LDL-polymers. Moreover, it reduced the amount of total LDL-polymers and reduced their absolute levels.
It can cause muscle damage
There is some evidence that statins may cause muscle damage. Statins are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system and can result in a number of adverse effects including muscle damage. These side effects include weakness, muscle pain, and a high creatine kinase level. If these symptoms are experienced, it may be necessary to discontinue statins.
This side effect is rare. Atorvastatin may damage muscle cells, but the condition is usually not permanent and can disappear in as little as three months after the drug is, stopped. The best way to reverse muscle damage caused by statins is to perform moderate exercise. However, it is important to seek medical advice before beginning an exercise regimen.
It can cause liver damage
Recent research suggests that atorvastatin can cause liver damage. Although this type of medication is, commonly prescribed for patients with high cholesterol, there are cases of liver damage in patients who are taking it for other medical reasons. This is an unusual side effect that can be serious, especially if the patient is taking statins for cardiovascular disease. In such a situation, the patient may need liver transplantation.
Atorvastatin is a statin, which increases the risk of liver damage. It has been linked to idiosyncratic liver injury in approximately two percent to five percent of patients. It is, also associated with an increased risk of autoimmune hepatitis. However, the side effects are usually, well tolerated and can manag through dose reduction or switching to another statin.
In a recent study, pitavastatin was, compared with atorvastatin in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The drug was, associated with a reduced NAS score and decreased fatty liver infiltration, though liver enzyme levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
A potential side effect of atorvastatin is muscle pain. It is particularly likely to occur in older patients and those with conditions such as hypothyroidism. Higher doses of atorvastatin can increase the risk of muscle pain. Also, taking cyclosporine, clarithromycin, or itraconazole can increase the risk of muscle pain. In addition, some HIV and hepatitis drugs may increase the risk of muscle pain in certain patients.
