See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a type of drug known as a statin, which is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It does this by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the production of cholesterol in the body. This helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol that is available to form plaque in the arteries, thereby decreasing the risk of plaque buildup and associated complications such as heart attack and stroke.

It is important to note that Lipitor is not an antibiotic, and it does not directly kill bacteria or treat infections. Antibiotics, on the other hand, are used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

In summary, Lipitor decreases plaque by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the body, which in turn reduces the amount of cholesterol available to form plaque in the arteries.

Sources:

* [Lipitor (atorvastatin) drug profile](https://www.drugs.com/lipitor.html)
* [HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535452/)
* [Antibiotics: overview](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221782/)
* [DrugPatentWatch - Atorvastatin](https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/atorvastatin)