Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of high cholesterol. According to the provided sources, there is no clear consensus on how frequently to check Lipitor levels in patients.
The first source, Drug Patent Watch [1], provides information on the patent status and expiration date of Lipitor but does not provide any information on how frequently to check Lipitor levels.
The second source, Medsafe [2], is a New Zealand government website that provides information on the side effects of statins, including Lipitor. The website states that there is no clear consensus on how frequently to check Lipitor levels in patients, but it is generally recommended to check levels before starting treatment and then periodically thereafter. The frequency of testing may depend on the patient's age, other medical conditions, and other medications they are taking. The website also notes that muscle pain or weakness can be a side effect of Lipitor and recommends that patients report any such symptoms to their healthcare provider.
The third source, a book chapter from the National Center for Biotechnology Information [3], provides a comprehensive overview of the use of statins, including Lipitor, in the treatment of high cholesterol. The chapter notes that there is no clear consensus on how frequently to check Lipitor levels in patients, but it is generally recommended to check levels before starting treatment and then periodically thereafter. The frequency of testing may depend on the patient's age, other medical conditions, and other medications they are taking. The chapter also notes that muscle pain or weakness can be a side effect of Lipitor and recommends that patients report any such symptoms to their healthcare provider.
In conclusion, while there is no clear consensus on how frequently to check Lipitor levels in patients, it is generally recommended to check levels before starting treatment and then periodically thereafter. The frequency of testing may depend on the patient's age, other medical conditions, and other medications they are taking. Patients should also report any muscle pain or weakness to their healthcare provider.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://medsafe.govt.nz/profs/puarticles/statinmyop.htm
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430779/