See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

While the exact reasons are not explicitly stated in the provided information, there are a few factors that could contribute to Lipitor's side effects being more pronounced in the elderly.

Firstly, as mentioned in [1], Lipitor (atorvastatin) is metabolized by the liver using the CYP3A4 enzyme. With age, the liver's ability to metabolize drugs can decrease, leading to higher concentrations of the drug in the body [2]. This could potentially result in more pronounced side effects.

Secondly, elderly individuals often take multiple medications due to various health conditions [3]. This increases the risk of drug-drug interactions, which can enhance or alter the side effects of a particular drug [4].

Lastly, age-related physiological changes, such as decreased kidney function and altered body composition, can affect how a drug is distributed, metabolized, and excreted, potentially leading to increased drug exposure and side effects [5].

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lipitor
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551679/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221732/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519528/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551680/