See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a medication commonly used to treat high cholesterol levels. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the body [1]. While there is extensive research on the effects of Lipitor in adults, there is limited information available on its long-term effects in children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Lipitor has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children aged 10 years and older with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder that causes high levels of cholesterol [2]. However, the long-term effects of using Lipitor in this population are not well understood.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that children and adolescents who took Lipitor for 48 weeks had significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels [3]. However, the study did not evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Lipitor in this population.

Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that children and adolescents who took Lipitor for two years had significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels and improvements in endothelial function, a marker of cardiovascular health [4]. However, the study did not evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Lipitor in this population.

It is important to note that Lipitor, like all medications, can have side effects. Common side effects of Lipitor include headache, muscle and joint pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms [1]. Rare but serious side effects of Lipitor include liver damage and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) [1].

In summary, while Lipitor has been shown to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia, the long-term effects of using this medication in this population are not well understood. It is important for healthcare providers to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of using Lipitor in children and adolescents.

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Atorvastatin (Oral Route). Retrieved from <https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/atorvastatin-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20069881?p=1>
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2011). Cholesterol Treatment in Children and Adolescents. Retrieved from <https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/6/e1450>
3. Ballantyne, C. M., Jacobson, T. A., Orloff, J., & McGill, H. C. (2012). Atorvastatin in children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 6(6), 573-581.
4. Wiegman, A., Hutten, B. A., de Groot, E., Blom, M. W., Kusters, D. M., Wijburg, F. A., ... & Sijbrands, E. J. (2015). Two-year effects of atorvastatin on carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial function in children with familial hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(19), 2045-2052.
5. DrugPatentWatch.com. (2021). Atorvastatin. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/atorvastatin>