How Does Lipitor Lower Cholesterol?

Enzyme Blocking

Lipitor is a statin drug. This means that its main function is to block an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that allows the liver to make cholesterol. When this enzyme is blocked, the liver's cholesterol production is reduced.

Bloodstream

Because the liver cannot make as much cholesterol, Lipitor causes it to take this substance out of the blood stream. The lowered cholesterol production, combined with removal of some existing cholesterol from a person's blood, reduces the amount of LDL (bad) cholesterol that is circulating in the body.

Arteries

Lipitor lowers the amount of cholesterol blocking the arteries because there is not as much cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream overall. This lessens the chance of the fatty substance getting caught on artery walls and building up to a blockage.

References

• How Lipitor works