Lipitor is a medication that is commonly used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. However, there are some risks associated with taking Lipitor with supplements.

According to the Mayo Clinic [2], some of the side effects of taking Lipitor include muscle pain, liver damage, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Taking certain supplements along with Lipitor may increase the risk of these side effects. For example, taking red yeast rice supplements along with Lipitor can increase the risk of muscle pain and liver damage. This is because red yeast rice contains a compound called monacolin K, which is similar to the active ingredient in Lipitor.

Another risk of taking Lipitor with supplements is that the supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. For example, taking St. John's wort supplements along with Lipitor can decrease the effectiveness of the medication. This is because St. John's wort can increase the activity of enzymes in the liver that break down Lipitor, reducing the amount of the medication that is available to lower cholesterol levels.

A recent study reported by NPR [3] found that taking statins like Lipitor was vastly superior to taking supplements in terms of reducing cholesterol levels. The study found that statins were able to lower LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 28%, while supplements only lowered LDL cholesterol levels by an average of 4%. This suggests that taking supplements may not be an effective alternative to taking statins like Lipitor.

In conclusion, taking Lipitor with supplements can increase the risk of side effects and may interfere with the effectiveness of the medication. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider before taking any supplements while taking Lipitor. It is also important to note that taking statins like Lipitor is a much more effective way to lower cholesterol levels than taking supplements. [2][3]

Sources:
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013
[3] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/11/06/1134094540/statins-vs-supplements-new-study-finds-one-is-vastly-superior-to-cut-cholesterol