Pfizer announced today that the European Union has approved the cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor (atorvastatin), for use in children 10 years of age and greater. This new approval actually comes in the form of a chewable tablet for this age category. Lipitor has been used in children down to 10 years of age for a few years here in the United States, however, no chewable formulation of Lipitor has been approved in this country.
Not all children with high cholesterol need to take medication to lower it. In some cases, like obesity, a child's pediatrician may recommend modifications to their lifestyle (such as exercise and lowering fat intake) to lower their cholesterol. However, in cases where high cholesterol is caused by genetic diseases -- like familial hypercholesterolemia -- cholesterol-lowering medication is needed to avoid future complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
