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Lipitor - Atorvastatin is used with a proper diet to lower LDL cholesterol (bad) and fats and raise HDL cholesterol (good) in the blood. Lipitor belongs to a group of medicines known as statins. Lipitor works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease. That also helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. Lipitor and memory loss Most people have no problems with Lipitor, although side effects can occur with taking the medicine. For people taking Lipitor, memory loss (medically amnesia) is a rare side effect. Amnesia occurrs in less than 2 percent of people taking Lipitor. It is difficult to know whether the amnesia is a result of Lipitor or caused by something else, because memory loss occurs so infrequently. Little research studies has been made concerning the effects of Lipitor on memory loss and other brain conditions. The studies that has been done are conflicting. Some studies have shown that people taking Lipitor have a lower chance of developing dementia and other studies have shown no benefits. There have also been a number of isolated reports of memory loss in people taking Lipitor. 2 percent number is small compared to the number of people taking Lipitor. That is why it is difficult to say whether the memory loss is caused by Lipitor or another factor. Effects of Lipitor on Joints Joint soreness or pain is one of the side effects of Lipitor. Based on data from clinical trials, joint pain was seen in up to 5.1 percent of people taking Lipitor, depending on the dosage. In these trials, joint pain occurred most frequently in those patients taking Lipitor 40 mg and least often in those patients taking 20 or 80 mg (0%). If you are taking Lipitor, have joint pain and that becomes a problem, there are some things that you can do to make joint pain more bearable. These are short-term relief suggestions including medicines and heat or cold. Patients who experience joint pain while taking Lipitor often benefit from using pain relief medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil). Another solution is to moist heat, like warm bath or shower or dry heat, such as a heating pad placed on the painful area of the joint for about 15 minutes. That may relieve joint pain. In some cases, cold packs wrapped in a towel can relieve pain or numb the sore area. You should not use cold packs, if you have poor circulation. Water therapy in a heated pool may also relieve stiffness and joint pain. |
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