FDA OK’s Cholesterol Drug Lipitor for Diabetics

Pfizer Inc. said U.S. regulators (FDA) have approved its cholesterol lowering drug Lipitor. Lipitor is used to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in diabetic patients.

The approval is for patients with type 2, or adult onset, diabetes (NIDDM) who have no signs of heart disease but have multiple risk factors (described below) for the condition.

Common risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, smoking and obesity.