Why Is Lipitor Used?

Lipitor is a prescription medication that lowers the levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raises the levels of "good" cholesterol in the blood. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is known as the "good" cholesterol. Lipitor is indicated for both adults and children older than 10 years whose cholesterol is not reduced enough with exercise and a low-fat diet.

Use of Lipitor in children is specifically indicated for an inherited condition, known as heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, that causes high cholesterol at a young age. Lipitor is indicated for children aged 10-17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (girls in this age range must have already begun menstruating). When used along with diet, statins reduce total cholesterol, LDL, and apo B levels in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. After an adequate trial of diet therapy, statins may be considered for treatment in children if one of the following findings is present:

• LDL-C remains greater than or equal to 190 mg/dL.

• LDL-C remains greater than or equal to 160 mg/dL and one of the following exists:
  • A positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease

  • Two or more other cardiovascular disease risk factors in the pediatric patient

For more information about cholesterol and its management, visit our Cholesterol Center.