The short answer:
Lipitor (atorvastatin) dose of 10 mg is considered a moderate-intensity statin that can lower your cholesterol levels by 30% to 49%. Find more about Lipitor and blood cholesterol levels in this article.
Key facts:
- Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering agent belonging to a group of medications known as statins.
- It is used to treat hypercholesterolemia and to prevent cardiovascular disease in those who are at high risk.
- Lipitor 10 mg is considered of moderate intensity that can lower your LDL blood levels by 30% to 49%.
- Lipitor is prescribed once daily, however, a dose every other day was reported to be safe and effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
Content:
What is Lipitor 10 mg indicated for?
Lipitor 10 mg and cholesterol blood levels
Normal range of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and TG
What is Lipitor 10 mg indicated for?
Lipitor is a cholesterol-lowering agent belonging to a class of medications known as statins which are considered the first choice for lowering elevated blood cholesterol levels.
Lipitor or atorvastatin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the USA. It is available as an oral tablet of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg (Ref).
The typical dose of Lipitor range from 10 mg to 80 mg once daily. The dose varies according to the reason why you take it, the severity of your conditions, and other concurrent medications you administer.
Indications of Lipitor 10 mg
- Adjuvant with diet to lower blood cholesterol level.
- Lipitor is indicated for both adults and children of age above 10 years to help in lowering blood cholesterol levels.
- For treatment of primary dysbetalipoproteinemia.
- Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
- It is commonly used to prevent cardiovascular diseases in those who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. This includes:
- Patients with higher risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, and angina.
- Reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke with type 2 diabetes mellitus
How much does 10 mg lipitor lower cholesterol?
Statins are commonly classified into three categories according to how much they can lower LDL blood levels as follow:
Low intensity: This includes statins that can lower Your blood LDL levels by no more than 30%.
Moderate intensity: This includes statins that can lower your blood LDL levels between 30 to 49%.
High intensity: This includes statins that can lower your LDL blood levels by more than 50%.
Lipitor or atorvastatin doses of 10 mg to 20 mg are considered of moderate intensity that can lower the LDL blood levels by 30% to 49%.
Atorvastatin doses of 40 mg and 80 mg are considered of high intensity that can lower LDL blood levels by 50% or more (Ref).
A study showed that in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia treated with atorvastatin 10 mg/ day, the LDL blood levels decreased by 35% compared with baseline two weeks after starting the treatment.
Also, In a previous study, the efficacy of atorvastatin (Lipitor) was evaluated in 1,424 patients with mixed dyslipidemia who received atorvastatin 10 mg per day for 6 weeks. Results showed that atorvastatin 10 mg per day reduced the LDL by 37%, total cholesterol by 27.6%, and TG by 22% compared with the data measured at the baseline.
Interestingly, atorvastatin 10 mg taken every other day in patients with hyperlipidemia for 8 weeks was found to effectively lower the total cholesterol by 23%, lower the triglyceride by 8%, and the LDL by 30% compared with the data measured before starting the therapy (Ref).
What is the normal range of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride blood levels??
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that could build up in the wall of your blood vessels leading to the narrowing of blood flow and causing many serious health problems including cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The lipid profile generally consists of the following,
- Total cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
- Triglycerides (TG)
The values of total cholesterol. HDL, LDL, and TG are according to the following (Ref):
Total cholesterol level for adults:
- Normal level: Less than 200 mg/dL
- Borderline high: Range between 200 to 239 mg/dL
- High levels: equal to 240 mg/dL or more
HDL cholesterol:
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as good cholesterol.
- The normal blood levels of HDL are above 40 mg/dL in men and above 50 mg/dL in women.
LDL blood levels for adults:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol, therefore, lower blood levels are targeted.
- Optimal LDL level: Less than 100 mg/dL
- Near-optimal: Ranges from 100 to 129 mg/dL
- Borderline high: Ranges from 130 to 159 mg/dL
- High LDL level: Ranges from 160 to 189 mg/dL
- Very high LDL level: equal to 190 mg/dL or higher.
Triglycerides (TG) blood levels for adults
High TG blood levels increase your risk of heart disease.
- Normal TG level: Below 150 mg/dL
- Borderline high TG level: Range between 150 to 199 mg/dL
- High TG level: Ranges between 200 to 499 mg/dL
- Very high TG level: Higher than 500 mg/dL
Importantly, the abovementioned values are considered general guidelines. However, the evaluation of your lipid profile could vary depending on other factors such as age, and concurrent disease.
Your targeted lipid profile also varies according to the estimation of your risk factors to develop heart disease.
FAQs
1. Can I take Lipitor or atorvastatin every other day?
Yes, a study showed that atorvastatin can be taken every other day.
Lipitor (brand name) or atorvastatin (generic name) is the most potent statin. Atorvastatin has a long half-life and given on alternate days may be reasonable and cost-effective in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
A previous study evaluated the safety and efficacy of atorvastatin administered every other day in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
This study was conducted on 60 patients with hypercholesterolemia who were administered atorvastatin 10 mg every other day at night before bedtime. The LDL blood levels were measured at a baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after starting the therapy. Results showed that atorvastatin 10 mg every other day was safe and effective in lowering the blood LDL by 30% in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
2. Should I take my Lipitor 10 mg at night or morning?
Lipitor 10 mg is prescribed to be taken once daily. You can take it at any time with or without food. However, some research recommends taking it at night. it is assumed that the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which is essential for the manufacture of cholesterol, is more active at night.
