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Heart disease is a major health concern for both men and women in the U.S. Many physicians prescribe medications like Lipitor to help lower cholesterol and thus prevent heart disease. Lipitor is a popular statin drug that works to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in your body. It is quite effective for most; however, there are some side effects that should be aware of.
Here is a brief overview of how Lipitor works, some of the risks of the drug, and what to do if you think it injured you.
How Lipitor Works
Lipitor is a statin medication manufactured by Pfizer. Statins are drugs that regulate cholesterol by decreasing the amount produced by your liver. Not all cholesterol is bad—there’s “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. One kind assists your body with what it needs, while the other type clogs your arteries and causes heart disease.
Lipitor lowers the levels of bad cholesterol (also known as LDL) and fats in your blood, which can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, it raises the good cholesterol (HDL) that keeps your heart healthy.
Common Side Effects
While Lipitor can be helpful for many people, it has several drawbacks. The most common side effect of Lipitor is muscle pain, which could come in the form of soreness, weakness, or even extreme tiredness. Sometimes, the pain might be so unbearable that even daily activities like walking or climbing stairs would require tremendous effort.
There are other, rather more serious risks, too. For example:
- Liver disorders: Lipitor can increase certain liver enzymes, which can be a sign of liver damage.
- Digestive problems: Some people have reported experiencing issues such as gas, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
- High blood sugar: Lipitor can increase your blood sugar level, which may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, all statins come with a warning about this potential risk.
- Memory/confusion: Some people have experienced memory loss or a feeling of confusion while taking Lipitor.
- Heart attacks: Although statins are meant to prevent heart attacks; however, it has been claimed to increase the risk for some people.
Lipitor Recall
Lipitor has been recalled in the past though not for anything that might be considered life-threatening. In one case, Pfizer recalled some of the 40 mg doses after people complained of a strange smell. However, there was no proof that the smell made anyone sick. Pfizer said the recall was only about packaging and stood by the safety of the drug.
Another recall was for the generic version of Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, manufactured by Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals. It was determined that several lots of those products contained glass particles in the pills. So, they immediately took that product off the market.
Lawsuits
Over the years, many people have sued Pfizer claiming that Lipitor caused them serious health problems. The most common claim was related to muscle pain and memory problems. Some also complained that the medicine resulted in their type 2 diabetes.
In these cases, Pfizer is accused of not properly warning of potential risks. According to product liability law, a company must distinctly warn about all types of risks associated with a product. In some states, the product liability laws are even more severe and make pharmaceuticals fully liable for injuries caused by medicines without necessarily having to prove negligence.
What to Do If You’ve Been Harmed by Lipitor
If you think you or someone close to you may have developed a health problem while taking Lipitor, it would be very prudent to speak with an attorney. Often, pharmaceutical companies hire an entire army of attorneys to represent themselves, and having one to represent your interests can level the playing field.
A good product liability lawyer can help you figure out whether or not you have a case and how you should go about it, and then guide you through the whole process-including the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
Final Words
Lipitor has helped many people lower their cholesterol and, therefore, reduce the risk of heart disease. Like all medications, it does come with a little risk. If you are taking Lipitor or considering taking it, you do need to be informed about some possible side effects and discuss the pros and cons with your doctor. And if you have been hurt by the drug, know that you are not alone, legal help is available.
Finally, remember to consult your healthcare professional before stopping or adjusting any medications.
