lipitor and liver

A:I agree with the last post, you should probobly ask your doctor. As you mentioned in your question, this med. affects cholesterol. Some of our cholesterol comes from diet, and some from our own bodies which make cholesterol in the liver. Lipitor (and other medicines like it- the statins) affects the production of cholesterol in the body. More specifically, it blocks the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of cholesterol. Also, most substances that we ingest end up being processed by the liver, and so if the liver has too much going through it then it can become overwhelemed and maybe damaged. Some substances have more of an effect than others, and some people are more succeptible. In additoin to genetic, our general health, drinking alcohol, etc... all have an effect on how much the liver can handle. In most cases, the benefit of lower bad cholesterol is worth the possible risk of side effects. (The biggest killer of men and women is cardiovascular diease, and cholesterol contributes to this. A healthy liver isn't much help without a working heart). Hope that helps. Good health and God bless.

A:Lipitor contains atorvastatin which is a lipid lowering agent. It is prescribed as your cholesterol levels are high. What about LDL (a bad cholesterol) is that high too? The main benefits are to lower the bad (LDL) cholesterol and raise the good (HDL) cholesterol. Once your cholesterol levels comes to normal its better that you keep strict controls on your diet. If cholesterol levels are high then it get started depositing on the linings of arteries making them narrower and interrupts with the blood supply/ oxygen to the other parts of the body. High cholesterol's are not good for heart and also its a risk factor for heart diseases. To lower your cholesterol level only drug is not important but also DIET ALONG WITH EXERCISE IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT.You need to bring certain changes in your life style. Go for some exercise in consultation with your doctor. Also consult some dietitian which will help you as this is all depends on so many factors viz... you have family history or you are consuming very rich diet with no physical exercise. Since you have fatty liver as well you need to cut down on your fats from the diet... oils, (butter, cream, cakes, pastries, all fried foods, fast foods, egg yolks, red meat must be avoided for 2-3 months at least). Certainly there are few side effects but after knowing we have to go for medication to benefit ourselves. Common side effects when taking Lipitor include the following: - Constipation) - Diarrhea - Dizziness - Headache - Increased liver enzyme levels (checked by blood tests) - Trouble falling or staying asleep - Muscle pain - Stomach symptoms (including stomach pain; usually mild) This is only a partial list of the more common side effects. Talk with your doctor or health care provider if you feel you are experiencing a side effect from this drug. IMPORTANT!! - If you start having muscle pain or weakness or dark urine, you should stop taking Lipitor and contact your doctor right away. - Do not use Lipitor if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. Low dose statins like atorvastatin (Lipitor) are safe in patients with mild liver disease (for example, patients with fatty liver and mildly abnormal liver tests in the blood such as ALT and AST). Since many patients have fatty livers due to obesity as the cause of their mildly elevated AST and ALT; losing excess weight helps to normalize the liver tests. Nevertheless, there is not sufficient data on the safety of statins in patients with moderate or severe liver disease with moderate or higher elevations of AST (Alanine aminotranferease) or ALT (aspartate aminotransferase ). It is also important to monitor test levels periodically since statins should be stopped if liver tests become progressively more abnormal. Most important is to have faith in your doctor. And also its very important to keep every thing under control so that you dont have to go any medication to control such things if all controlled by DIET AND EXERCISE. Strict NO to alcohol. GOOD LUCK!!!

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A:i take lipitor. but at times my liver shows that something is too high-- enyzime. they take and draw blood. it shows if there is a liver problem. also ask for a blood workup. i still keep taking the med. i know it's a statin and works thru my liver. but they just tell me if the enyzime is to high or normal.

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