Lipitor is a prescription drug used to treat individuals with high cholesterol, as well as those at risk for heart disease and stroke. The drug works by restricting the activity of a liver enzyme known as HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is important for the body’s natural production of cholesterol. By inhibiting this process, Lipitor lowers the body’s overall level of unhealthy cholesterol. This cholesterol causes plaque and fatty substances to build up in the bloodstream, preventing blood from reaching critical parts of the body.
How is Lipitor Taken?
Lipitor is taken as a pill, once daily. Patients can take the drug with or without food, but are encouraged to do so at roughly the same time every day. Lipitor is usually prescribed in a 10 mg to 20 mg starting dose, but some individuals may need a larger dose of around 40 mg. After several weeks, a patient’s doctor should perform a set of tests to determine whether a dosage increase is warranted. Most patients are eventually prescribed a daily dose of 20 mg to 40 mg, although some individuals are given doses as high as 80 mg. It is important to note that Lipitor should always be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and more frequent exercise. Lipitor is intended for individuals for whom these changes do not provide adequate cholesterol reduction.
Where Can I Buy Lipitor?
Lipitor is available from a number of sources. One common way to get the drug is through pharmacies such as Walgreens, Rite-Aid or CVS, as well as local drug stores. Some major pharmacies even allow patients to buy Lipitor online and pick it up in person. This provides all the benefits of being able to talk to one’s pharmacist face to face with the added convenience of online ordering.
Other individuals choose to buy Lipitor online from internationally-based pharmacies, most commonly from Canada. Patients that purchase Lipitor this way generally do so for the convenience of having their medication shipped to their door, as well as the reduced prices typically found at Canadian pharmacies. Because Canadian law places a cap on prescription drug prices, American patients are often able to buy Lipitor online for prices well below those found in the United States. Of course, individuals should confirm that buying medication from Canada or another country other than the U.S. is legal in their respective states.
