Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) is a prescription drug often used for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is also approved to treat high triglycerides and to prevent cardiovascular disease.

It is a type of statin that works to lower cholesterol by blocking a particular enzyme in the body that controls the rate of cholesterol production. The medication, which comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day, is available in four different strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg.

Lipitor tablets have been shown to increase the liver's ability to collect and get rid of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, and increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Because Lipitor has these effects, taking the medication can also lower a person's risk for developing cholesterol-related health problems.

In previous research studies, people taking Lipitor 10 mg were able to, on average, decrease LDL cholesterol by 39 percent, total cholesterol by 29 percent, triglycerides by 19 percent, and raise HDL by 6 percent. With higher dosages of the medication, the effect was even greater.