Lipitor’s uses and side effects

Posted on by Charles

What is Lipitor?

Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) is a medication used to lower levels of “bad” cholesterol. It is manufactured by Pfizer and first became available in 1996. A generic version of Astorvastatin became available in 2011.

What are the side effects of taking Lipitor?

Common side effects of Lipitor include headaches, weakness, insomnia, and diziness. In rare cases Lipitor may cause musucular damage or myopathy.


I was active. Eating healthy. I thought I was in great shape. So I was surprised when my doctor told me I still had high cholesterol. That really hit me. Got me thinking about my health. I knew I had to get my cholesterol under control, but exercise and eating health weren’t enough for me. Now I trust my heart to Lipitor.

When diet and exercise are not enough, adding Lipitor has been shown to lower bad cholesterol 39 to 60%. Lipitor is backed by over seventeen years of research. Lipitor is not for everyone, including people with liver problems and women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant. You need simple blood tests to check for liver problems. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications or if you have any muscle pain or weakness. This may be a sign of a rare but serious side effect.

I thought I was doing enough to lower my cholesterol, but I needed more help. What are you doing about yours? Have a heart to heart with your doctor about your cholesterol, and about Lipitor.

Are there any lawsuits related to using Lipitor or Atorvastatin?

As of 2023, Lipitor continues to face significant legal battles. Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Lipitor, is contending with thousands of lawsuits filed by patients who developed type 2 diabetes after taking the drug. This situation is ongoing and the final outcome remains uncertain, although Pfizer has a history of settling multimillion-dollar lawsuits which could potentially indicate the course of these legal proceedings​​.

In the early stages of these lawsuits, plaintiffs’ attorneys made two attempts to consolidate all pending and future Lipitor diabetes claims to a single court for pretrial proceedings, a process known as Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). The first attempt in 2013 was unsuccessful, but as the number of lawsuits grew, a second attempt in 2014 resulted in all existing and future Lipitor diabetes claims being transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina​​.

The complaints brought forward by the plaintiffs are strikingly similar. They primarily accuse Pfizer of marketing Lipitor without providing adequate instructions or warnings about the potential risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Allegedly, the information available to patients and physicians did not reflect the possible dangers of increased blood glucose levels, which could have prevented these injuries. Furthermore, the plaintiffs have accused Pfizer of aggressive and misleading marketing practices, which did not reflect the risks associated with the drug​.

The impact of these lawsuits is not limited to the courtroom. For many patients, developing type 2 diabetes has led to a significant decrease in their quality of life. This chronic condition requires ongoing monitoring, medication, and doctor’s visits. In addition to the lifestyle changes, it can also interfere with the ability to work and carry out daily tasks, leading to potential financial stress due to medical costs and lost income​.

In terms of the legal process, two cases were selected as bellwether cases – essentially test cases for the MDL. However, in 2016, the MDL was officially closed after the court dismissed all remaining claims, stating that plaintiffs could not provide evidence that Lipitor was responsible for their diabetes, particularly at dosages less than 80 mg. This decision was appealed but the appeals court affirmed the district court’s decision in 2018​​.

More information about Lipitor

Please review the following websites to learn more about Lipitor and Atorvastatin.