How does lipitor (atorvastatin) affect your body and help lower cholesterol?

Lowers cholesterol: Lipitor (atorvastatin) is an excellent drug for lowering cholesterol. It also reduces the number of heart attacks and strokes by about 40% if people stay on it for a few years. Side effects are rare and can include minor abnormalities in liver tests that normally resolve on their own. In addition, it can cause muscle inflammation in 1 in every 100, 000 patients. Generally, the benefits far outweigh the risks.