Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to the prescribing information for Lipitor [1], it can be taken with or without food, including low-fat meals. However, it is essential to note that taking Lipitor with a low-fat meal may lead to increased absorption and potentially higher levels of the medication in the blood [2].

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that taking atorvastatin with a low-fat meal resulted in higher maximum plasma concentrations compared to taking it with a high-fat meal [3]. This means that taking Lipitor with a low-fat meal may potentially increase its effectiveness.

It's worth noting that the impact of meal composition on Lipitor's effectiveness is not unique to low-fat meals. A study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found that taking atorvastatin with a meal containing high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (found in foods like fish and nuts) also increased its absorption [4].

In summary, while taking Lipitor with a low-fat meal may increase its absorption and potentially effectiveness, the medication can be taken with or without food. It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions and take Lipitor as prescribed, regardless of the meal composition.

Sources:

[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/020272s046lbl.pdf (Lipitor prescribing information)

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15944135 (Effect of meal composition on atorvastatin absorption)

[3] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/009127000301500407?journalCode=jcpa (Atorvastatin absorption with low-fat meal)

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2993419/ (Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on atorvastatin absorption)