LIPITOR
Speak to your doctor about LIPITOR

LIPITOR has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients.3-4

LIPITOR (atorvastatin) is one of several Prescription Medicines for the treatment of high cholesterol. Along with diet and exercise LIPITOR has been proven to:

  • Lower LDL-cholesterol ("bad") by between 37% to 55%1
  • Lower triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood) by up to 33%2

LIPITOR has a well established safety profile2. It has been studied in more than 400 ongoing and completed clinical trials and has been available for over 10 years.# However, like all medicines, LIPITOR can be associated with side effects. Please speak to your doctor and read the LIPITOR Consumer Medicine Information leaflet for more information.

LIPITOR is only funded in New Zealand under Special Authority Criteria.5 This means that your doctor can only prescribe you funded LIPITOR if you have a calculated absolute risk of cardiovascular disease of at least 15% over 5 years and

Speak to your doctor about LIPITOR
  • have experienced side effects such as constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain, headache, muscle weakness and others on simvastatin, the other widely available statin in New Zealand5
  • have not reached your target cholesterol level (LDL-cholesterol or Total-cholesterol) despite being on a dose of 80mg a day of simvastatin.5

If either of the above descriptions match your experience ask your doctor for further funding details and discuss if LIPITOR would be right for you.

References: 1. Law MR et al. BMJ 2003; 326: 1423-1430. 2. Lipitor Data sheet. 3. Sever PS et al. Lancet 2003; 361: 1149-1158. 4. Colhoun MH et al. Lancet 2004; 364: 685-696. 5. Pharmaceutical Schedule Dec 2008. PHARMAC. # Pfizer Data on File.

 

 

 

Lipitor Consumer Mandatories:

LIPITOR® (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription medicine used to lower high cholesterol levels and to help reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Consult your doctor to see if this medicine is right for you. Do not take this medicine if you have liver disease, are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, if you are breastfeeding, or have an allergy to the active ingredient (atorvastatin) or other tablet ingredients. Precautions: people who consume large quantities of alcohol and/or have a history of liver problems; people who have muscle pain, tenderness or weakness; patients who have had a type of stroke called a haemorrhagic stroke or a type of stroke called a lacunar infarct. There are some medicines that may interfere with LIPITOR. These include digoxin, antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin), phenytoin, oral contraceptives, cyclosporin, medicines used to treat HIV infection (efavirenz, protease inhibitors), treatments for fungal infections, diltiazem and other medicines used to treat high cholesterol or triglycerides. Caution should be exercised if a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is administered concomitantly with other drugs that may decrease the levels or activity of endogenous steroid hormones such as ketoconazole, spironolactone and cimetidine. Excessive quantities of grapefruit juice may interfere with LIPITOR. Possible side effects: headache, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, difficulty sleeping and muscle pain, tenderness or weakness. If you have side effects see your doctor. Always read the label and use strictly as directed. LIPITOR® is fully funded under special authority. Contains atorvastatin 10mg, 20mg & 40mg. Further medicine details are available at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Pfizer New Zealand LTD PO Box 3998, Auckland, 0800 675229, www.pfizer.co.nz ®Registered Trademark

New Zealand This website is intended for New Zealand audiences only. The information on this website does not replace the individual advice of a Doctor or Pharmacist. ©2009 Pfizer New Zealand Ltd. Auckland. All Rights Reserved. TAPS Approval: NA1572 R&A110209B