[Drug clinics. Drug of the month. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)].

Atorvastatin, commercialized by the pharmaceutical companies Parke-Davis and Pfizer under the trade name Lipitor, is a new statin acting as a potent hypolipidaemic drug. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the key-enzyme of cellular synthesis of cholesterol, it increases the expression of LDL receptors and promotes the hepatic extraction of circulating LDL. It has a more potent action than other available statins, both on LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Atorvastatin is indicated, after diet failure, in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia or combined hyperlipidaemia. Lipitor is available as tablets of 10 and 20 mg. The usual doses is 10 mg once a day, to be increased up to 20 mg/day if necessary. In rare severe cases, the doses may be increased up to 80 mg/day.