Lipitor is a prescription medication used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins. While Lipitor has been shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels, there are some potential risks associated with taking it long term.

One of the most common side effects of Lipitor is muscle pain or weakness [2]. This occurs in about 10% of people who take the drug and can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities. In rare cases, Lipitor can also cause a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney damage [2].

Another potential risk associated with taking Lipitor long term is liver damage. While this is rare, it can occur in some people who take the drug [3]. For this reason, people taking Lipitor should have their liver function tested regularly.

There is also some evidence to suggest that taking statins like Lipitor long term may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes [3]. However, the benefits of taking Lipitor in terms of reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke may outweigh this risk for many people.

Overall, while there are some potential risks associated with taking Lipitor long term, the benefits of the drug in terms of reducing cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke are generally considered to outweigh these risks [1].

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4059187/