Lipitor is a brand name for atorvastatin, a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to Drug Patent Watch [1], Lipitor is the most prescribed medication for lowering cholesterol in the United States. On the other hand, fish oil is a supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving heart health.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology [2] aimed to determine the effect of fish oil supplementation on the efficacy of atorvastatin in reducing triglyceride levels. The study involved 50 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin alone or atorvastatin plus fish oil supplementation for 12 weeks. The results showed that the combination of atorvastatin and fish oil was more effective in reducing triglyceride levels than atorvastatin alone. However, the study did not find any significant difference in the levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the "bad" cholesterol that Lipitor targets.
Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology [3] investigated the effect of fish oil supplementation on the lipid-lowering efficacy of statins, including atorvastatin. The study reviewed 14 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1,264 participants. The results showed that fish oil supplementation did not significantly affect the lipid-lowering efficacy of statins, including atorvastatin.
In conclusion, the available evidence suggests that fish oil supplementation does not have a significant effect on the lipid-lowering efficacy of atorvastatin. However, combining atorvastatin with fish oil supplementation may be more effective in reducing triglyceride levels than atorvastatin alone. It is important to note that before taking any supplements or making changes to your medication regimen, you should consult with your healthcare provider.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17959252/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320142/