Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease [1]. Opioids, on the other hand, are a class of drugs used to relieve pain [3].
There is no evidence to suggest that taking Lipitor with opioids provides any additional benefits beyond their individual effects. Lipitor is not used to treat pain, and opioids are not used to lower cholesterol levels. However, some studies have shown that opioids may increase the risk of heart disease [3]. Therefore, it is important to monitor cholesterol levels in patients who are taking opioids.
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) has developed measures to assess the appropriate use of medications, including Lipitor and opioids. One measure is the statin use in persons with diabetes (SUPD) measure, which assesses the percentage of patients with diabetes who are prescribed a statin medication like Lipitor [2]. Another measure is the opioid use in chronic opioid therapy (COT) measure, which assesses the percentage of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain and are also receiving appropriate monitoring and follow-up care [2].
In conclusion, there are no known benefits to taking Lipitor with opioids beyond their individual effects. It is important to monitor cholesterol levels in patients who are taking opioids, as some studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease. The appropriate use of medications like Lipitor and opioids can be assessed using measures developed by organizations like the PQA.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.pqaalliance.org/measures-overview
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3351822/