Lipitor
Lipitor®
(atorvastatin calcium) Tablets
DRUG DESCRIPTION
Lipitor and Grapefruit Juice
Medical Author: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Stöppler, MD
Lipitor (generic name: atorvastatin) has been an extremely effective medication in lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also effective in reducing the risk of a second heart attack.
Lipitor is generally well-tolerated, and side effects are rare. However, like all medications, it requires monitoring for side effects.
A peculiar cross reaction with a specific food exists with Lipitor and other "statin" drugs used to lower cholesterol.
Read more on Lipitor (atorvastatin) side effects and reactions »
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.
Atorvastatin calcium is [R-(R*, R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-β, δ -dihydroxy-5- (1-methylethyl)-3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid, calcium salt (2:1) trihydrate. The empirical formula of atorvastatin calcium is (C33H34 FN2O5)2Ca•3H2O and its molecular weight is 1209.42. Its structural formula is:
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Atorvastatin calcium is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is insoluble in aqueous solutions of pH 4 and below. Atorvastatin calcium is very slightly soluble in distilled water, pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, and acetonitrile, slightly soluble in ethanol, and freely soluble in methanol.
LIPITOR tablets for oral administration contain 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg atorvastatin and the following inactive ingredients: calcium carbonate, USP; candelilla wax, FCC; croscarmellose sodium, NF; hydroxypropyl cellulose, NF; lactose monohydrate, NF; magnesium stearate, NF; microcrystalline cellulose, NF; Opadry White YS-1-7040 (hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide); polysorbate 80, NF; simethicone emulsion.
Generic Name: Atorvastatin Calcium
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