See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes in the liver [1]. However, protein mediated drug clearance also plays a role in its elimination from the body.

Protein mediated drug clearance, also known as protein binding, refers to the process by which drugs bind to proteins in the blood, such as albumin and lipoproteins. This binding can affect a drug's distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, atorvastatin is highly bound to plasma proteins, with a bound fraction of 98% [2]. This high protein binding can affect its clearance, as only the unbound fraction of the drug is available for metabolism and excretion.

It is important to note that protein binding can be affected by various factors, such as age, gender, disease state, and concomitant medication use. For example, the protein binding of atorvastatin can be affected by drugs that inhibit or induce CYP3A4 enzymes, such as erythromycin and rifampin, respectively [1].

In summary, Lipitor's clearance is primarily mediated by CYP3A4 enzymes in the liver, but protein mediated drug clearance also plays a role. Atorvastatin is highly bound to plasma proteins, with a bound fraction of 98%, and this protein binding can be affected by various factors, such as age, gender, disease state, and concomitant medication use.

Sources:

* [1] "Atorvastatin" (Drugs.com) <https://www.drugs.com/atorvastatin.html>
* [2] "In vitro and in vivo comparison of the binding of atorvastatin and its metabolites to human plasma proteins" (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology) <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2396(199912)39:12<1519::AID-JCP13>3.0.CO;2-#>