Lipitor is a brand name for the drug atorvastatin, which is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to Drug Patent Watch [1], Lipitor works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol. It is important to note that Lipitor is not used to treat hypertension, but rather to lower cholesterol levels.
However, Medical News Today [2] reports that there are potential side effects of Lipitor that could affect hypertension treatment. For example, some people who take Lipitor may experience muscle pain or weakness, which could make it more difficult to exercise and maintain a healthy weight. This could in turn make it more difficult to manage hypertension, which is often treated with lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss.
On the other hand, a press release from Pfizer [3] suggests that adding Lipitor to effective blood pressure treatment could provide a significant reduction in heart attacks or deaths from heart attacks over five years. The study found that patients who received Lipitor in addition to their blood pressure medication had a 36% reduction in the risk of heart attack or death from heart attack compared to those who only received blood pressure medication.
In summary, Lipitor is not used to treat hypertension, but rather to lower cholesterol levels. However, potential side effects of Lipitor such as muscle pain or weakness could make it more difficult to manage hypertension through lifestyle changes. On the other hand, adding Lipitor to effective blood pressure treatment may provide a significant reduction in the risk of heart attack or death from heart attack over five years.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-lipitor-side-effects
[3] https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/adding_lipitor_early_to_effective_blood_pressure_treatment_provided_a_significant_reduction_in_heart_attacks_or_deaths_from_heart_attacks_over_five_years