Working With Your Doctor
Your doctor is your partner. He or she can help you reach your cholesterol and heart-health goals. And talking to your doctor is the first step. The more information you share with your doctor—about your lifestyle, your family history, and your habits—the better able you'll be to manage your heart health. Together, you and your doctor can set realistic goals.
These goals might include:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Losing weight
- Reducing blood sugar
- Quitting smoking
Reaching your goals will mean more than just one change in how you live your life. It may mean changes to your diet. It may mean exercising more. You may need a medication to manage your cholesterol levels.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your expectations. Keep in mind that not everything can be "fixed" in one visit. Managing cholesterol and working toward heart health is an ongoing process.
Next: Questions for Your Doctor >>
LIPITOR is a prescription medicine that is used along with a low-fat diet. It lowers the LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides in your blood. It can raise your HDL ("good" cholesterol) as well. LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.
LIPITOR can lower the risk for heart attack or stroke in patients with diabetes and risk factors such as diabetic eye or kidney problems, smoking, or high blood pressure.
LIPITOR is not for everyone. It is not for those with liver problems. And it is not for women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant.
If you take LIPITOR, tell your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. This could be a sign of rare but serious muscle side effects. Tell your doctor about all medications you take. This may help avoid serious drug interactions. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment and may adjust your dose.
Common side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests.
When diet and exercise alone are not enough, adding LIPITOR can help lower cholesterol. LIPITOR is one of many cholesterol-lowering treatment options that you and your doctor can consider.
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