All about Lipitor » DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM

BRAND NAME is Lipitor.
GENERIC NAME of Lipitor is atorvastatin
Atorvastatin belongs to a class of drugs known as statins which includes lovastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, and pravastatin. All statins prevent the production of cholesterol by the liver and block the enzyme that is key to the production of cholesterol (and especially LDL cholesterol).
Statins decrease total blood cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered to be the “bad” cholesterol that is primarily responsible for the development of coronary artery disease. Decreasing LDL cholesterol levels retards progression. Unlike the other drugs in this class, atorvastatin also can reduce the concentration of triglycerides in the blood. Atorvastatin is used for the treatment of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High blood concentrations of triglycerides have been associated with coronary artery disease. There are many factors that increase the risk for coronary artery disease such as diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, low HDL cholesterol level, and family history of early coronary heart disease.
High blood concentration of cholesterol is cured with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in cholesterol and fats. When these measures don’t help to achieve enough cholesterol-lowering result, medications such as atorvastatin may be prescribed. The effectiveness of atorvastatin in lowering cholesterol is dose related. It means that higher doses reduce cholesterol more.