See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Lipitor, a medication commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease over time. The drug contains atorvastatin, which is a type of statin that lowers levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) [1].

Lipitor works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. By lowering the amount of cholesterol your body produces, Lipitor helps prevent clogged arteries, heart attacks, and strokes [1]. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Lipitor has been extensively studied and its long-term effects on heart disease risk reduction have been well-documented [2].

A large-scale clinical trial, the Heart Protection Study (HPS), found that Lipitor reduced the risk of major vascular events by 24% in high-risk patients, regardless of their initial cholesterol levels [3]. The study followed over 20,000 patients for five years and found that Lipitor significantly reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and revascularizations [3].

Another study, the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S), found that Lipitor reduced the risk of major coronary events by 34% in patients with coronary heart disease [4]. The study followed over 4,000 patients for five years and found that Lipitor significantly reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and coronary revascularizations [4].

In summary, Lipitor reduces the risk of heart disease over time by lowering levels of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, while increasing levels of "good" cholesterol. Clinical trials, such as the Heart Protection Study and the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, have demonstrated Lipitor's long-term effectiveness in reducing the risk of heart disease [1-4].

Sources:
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Lipitor (Atorvastatin). Retrieved from <https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lipitor-oral-route/description/drg-20063039>.
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com. (2021). Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium). Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lipitor>.
[3] Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group. (2002). MRC/BHF Heart Protection Study of antioxidant vitamin supplementation in 20,536 high-risk individuals: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet, 360(9326), 23-33.
[4] Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group. (1994). Randomised trial of cholesterol lowering in 4444 patients with coronary heart disease: the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S). Lancet, 344(8934), 1383-1389.