Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a prescription drug used to lower blood cholesterol. Common side effects are fatigue, flatulence (gas), heartburn, and constipation. Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information are provided. Atorvastatin is a drug used for lowering cholesterol and thereby preventing cardiovascular disease. This medication works by reducing the amounts of LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides (another type of fat), and apolipoprotein B (a protein needed to make cholesterol) in your blood. Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Atorvastatin oral tablet is a prescription medication used to improve cholesterol levels and decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke. It’s a type of drug called a statin. Atorvastatin. Uses. Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. Atorvastatin belongs to a group of medicines called statins. It's used to lower cholesterol if you've been diagnosed with high blood cholesterol. It is used to prevent heart attacks. It is used to prevent strokes. It is used to prevent chest pain. It is used to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors. Atorvastatin, sold under the trade name Lipitor among others, is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment. It is taken by mouth.