Questions for Your Doctor
High cholesterol and heart disease are serious health issues. But if you know your risks, you can manage your heart health. Your doctor can help you lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke. For many people with high cholesterol, diet and exercise alone are not enough. Medication may be necessary.
Below, we've provided some questions you may want to ask your doctor.
If you're considering LIPITOR, you might want to ask…
- What is high cholesterol?
- What is heart disease?
- How is high cholesterol related to heart disease?
- What is LIPITOR?
- Is LIPITOR safe to use to lower cholesterol?
- How can LIPITOR help protect my heart?
- Can LIPITOR help prevent a stroke?
- Does LIPITOR have any side effects?
- Is LIPITOR the right cholesterol medication for me?
If you've been prescribed LIPITOR, you and your doctor should have an open dialogue about the following questions…
- What is my cholesterol target?
- What is my long-term heart-health goal?
- When is the best time to take LIPITOR?
- What else can I do to lower my risk of heart disease?
- What if I can't always afford cholesterol medication?
- What should I do if I'm taking other medications?
Please note that this is not a complete list of questions you may want to ask your doctor.
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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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