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Atorvastatin

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) is a statin drug.

Atorvastatin
Identifiers
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It is used for preventing cardiovascular disease and treating abnormal lipid levels[1][2] (to lower cholesterol). In addition heart disease, it is also given to prevent strokes.[2] It may also be prescribed for people with a family history of heart disease, or a long-term health condition such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.[2]

The medication is available as a generic drug.[3][4] In 2021, it was the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 116 million prescriptions filled for over 28 million patients.[5] Atorvastatin was first synthesized in 1985 by Dr. Bruce Roth and approved by the FDA in 1996.[6] Patented by Pfizer.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7]

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References

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  1. "Atorvastatin". Drugs.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "About atorvastatin". nhs.uk. 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  3. Top 100 Drugs. Elsevier Health Services. 30 March 2014. ISBN 9780702055157. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  4. Hitchings, Andrew; Lonsdale, Dagan; Burrage, Daniel; Baker, Emma (2014-03-30). The Top 100 Drugs e-book: Clinical Pharmacology and Practical Prescribing. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-7020-5515-7.
  5. "The Top 300 of 2021". clincalc.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. PubChem. "Atorvastatin". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  7. Organization, World Health (2021). "World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021)". WHO.