USES: This is a cholesterol-lowering drug prescribed along with a diet and works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body?s ability to form new LDL cholesterol. The drug usually starts working within 2 weeks.

HOW TO USE
This medication is taken once a day, with or without food in the morning or evening, but at the same time each day. Recommended dosage is 10mg or 20mg once a day. Your doctor should check your cholesterol levels every 2-4 weeks and adjust the dose accordingly. Sometimes, for an even greater cholesterol-lowering effect, a second lipid-lowering drug may be prescribed. It is important to avoid taking the two drugs at the same time. Take Lipitor at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after the other drug.

SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects, if any, are usually mild and include abdominal pain, abnormal heartbeat, skin reactions, amnesia, black or bloody stools, diarrhea, changes in eyesight or taste sensation, decreased sex drive, aching joints and cramps, lack of coordination, gas, vomiting, weight loss or weight gain. If any of these symptoms occur, notify your doctor immediately.

PRECAUTIONS
Tell your doctor your medical history. There is a slight chance of liver damage from taking this drug. Your doctor should perform a blood test for liver function before starting this medication, again 2 weeks after beginning medication, or increasing the dosage, and again every 6 months thereafter. If tests reveal a problem you may have to stop taking this drug. Drugs of this sort have occasionally been known to damage muscle tissue. Be sure to notify your doctor if you notice any unexplained muscle tenderness, weakness or pain, especially if accompanied with fever or sickness. In this event, a blood test should be taken to check for signs of muscle damage.
IMPORTANT: This medication should not be taken if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or intending to become pregnant. Developing babies need plenty of cholesterol and this cholesterol-lowering drug should never be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using this drug notify your doctor immediately.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Notify your doctor of any other medicatons that you might be taking besides this one. Taking this drug with certain other drugs could either increase or decrease the effects or alter them in either drug. It is especially important to check with your doctor concerning oral contraceptives and antacids.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your doctor or local poison control center immediately.

NOTES
This medication is usually prescribed only if a diet, exercise and weight loss fail to bring your cholesterol levels under control. But it is important to remember that this medication is a supplement, not a substitute, for these measures and you need to stick to the diet and exercise program prescribed by your doctor or healthcare professional.

MISSED DOSE
If you miss a dose take it as soon as possible but if it is near the time of the next dose do not "double up".

STORAGE
Store at room temperature (77 degrees F, 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. KEEP THIS DRUG AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

IMPORTANT NOTE
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed that taking this medication is safe, appropriate or effective for you.

* Illustrations are for graphic purposes only and the ordered medication may differ in appearance.