Lipitor is a statin, part of a class of drugs generally used to decrease levels of cholesterol in the blood stream. This may, in turn, reduce the likelihood of developing arthrosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. It also has somewhat of an anti-inflammatory effect on blood vessels, and stabilizes the cholesterol plaques that can result in blood clots.

How Lipitor Functions in the Body

All statins function by impacting the production of cholesterol in the body, and thus how much of it ends up in the bloodstream. Lipitor works on the enzyme HMG Coenzyme A reductase, which catalyzes the reaction that produces cholesterol. Since cholesterol is necessary for certain functions in the body, this triggers the liver to increase its expression of receptors specifically geared towards Low-Density Lipoproteins (termed the “bad cholesterol,” in contrast with High-Density Lipoproteins). So, Lipitor has the dual effect of both limiting the production of cholesterol by the liver, and increasing the organ’s uptake of LDL, while somewhat increasing blood levels of HDL.

Studies have found that, while statins are extremely effective at lowering levels of dangerous LDL in the blood, pairing them with a fiber supplement is as effective as doubling the dose. This is because, as fiber leaves the body through the colon, it absorbs bile acids produced by the liver from cholesterol. This has the added effect of encouraging the liver to uptake even more cholesterol to replenish the body’s levels of these substances. Coupled with Lipitor’s effect on the liver’s production and use of cholesterol, this can dramatically lower overall blood levels of cholesterol, further cutting the risk for individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Lipitor does have some associated side effects, however the majority of these are mild when compared to the potential for developing a heart attack or stroke.

Prozac is a commonly prescribed member of a class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (or SSRIs), generally used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety. Because of the mechanism by which SSRIs work, and the numerous effects that serotonin has within the body, Prozac is a very effective means of treating these psychological disorders, which often have a physical root cause. Unfortunately, Prozac also has a rather high instance of side-effects, so its use is generally strictly monitored by a doctor, and it is rarely discontinued without tapering the dose.

How Prozac Functions in the Body

To understand how Prozac and other SSRIs work, it must be understood what serotonin does. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan, and found in high concentrations in the central nervous system, platelets, and digestive tract. This molecule impacts mood, appetite, and sleep, as well as exerting some impact on learning functions. Low levels of serotonin can cause problems with breathing and cardiac function, as well as less dangerous issues like gastrointestinal problems, depression, and psychological disorders.

In the brain, a synaptic gap is the space across which two receptors communicate by sending signals in the form of neurotransmitters like serotonin. Rather than triggering the body to produce more serotonin in instances where low levels of the neurotransmitter might be present, SSRIs effectively allows serotonin to remain in the synaptic gap for a longer period of time, “tricking” the receptor by allowing the same serotonin to repeatedly stimulate it, as opposed to being taken up. It can take several weeks for Prozac and other SSRIs to have their full effect on the body, and that, coupled with the relatively high instance of side effects, limit the drug’s use to situations where its benefits greatly outweigh any potential risks.

Cortisone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal system’s action on cholesterol. Synthetically derived cortisone is used to treat conditions largely involving pain, inflammation, or an over reactive immune response. Injections of the hormone directly into a joint are commonly used to treat bursitis, tennis elbow, or other joint injuries, since cortisone’s immune-suppressing effects cause a dramatic reduction in pain and inflammation.

For this reason, it’s also a valuable drug for treating certain autoimmune conditions, as well as to prevent rejection in patients following an organ transplant. However, because of this effect, cortisone has numerous potentially dangerous side-effects, largely having to do with insulin resistance, the cessation of menstruation, and even psychological effects like depression.

How Cortisone Functions in the Body

Cortisone is an interesting molecule, in that it is both the end product of the adrenal system’s breakdown of cholesterol during steroidgenesis, but can also become the primary molecule used in the synthesis of cortisol, another stress hormone. Natural cortisone is secreted with adrenaline during times of stress, and these two together produce the physical sensations an acute stress response (the “fight-or-flight response”). Cortisone is part of a class of chemicals called glucocorticoids, which have numerous effects in the body. They function by binding to glucocorticoid receptors presented in nearly every cell of the body, and function by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory proteins by the nucleus, while suppressing the production of those that induce inflammation.

Unfortunately, cortisone’s effect on metabolism means that this drug can impact bone formation, wound healing, and even fat breakdown, so it is generally only available after a consultation with a physician to determine that cortisone’s benefits outweigh its risks.

Aspirin, or acetyl salicylic acid, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for a variety of purposes. Taken orally, it has valuable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and fever reducing properties, as well as acting as a blood thinner (though not to the extent of other drugs like Warfarin or Heparin). Originally made by distilling it from the bark of the white willow (salix alba) tree, Aspirin today is produced synthetically. It’s also one of the most used medications worldwide, as its low instance of side effects, low cost, easy availability, and effectiveness make it a popular choice for treating headaches, pain, and even preventing heart attack or stroke in low doses.

How Aspirin Functions in the Body

Aspirin has a clot-preventing effect by inhibiting thromboxane, a lipid that causes platelets to bind together. Because it prevents thromboxane’s production, Aspirin has a longer blood thinning effect than some other NSAIDs, as patients must wait until the affected platelets are taken out of circulation and replaced with fresh ones before undergoing surgery, for example. This makes it very valuable when used as part of a protocol for reducing a patient’s risk of developing blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

The drugs effect on fevers, pain, and inflammation is directly attributed to its inhibition of cyclooxygenase (also abbreviated as COX). Since COX is needed to produce prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, this inhibits their production, and thus their effect on sensitizing the nerves in the spinal cord to pain. Like Aspirin’s anti-clotting effect, since this is the result of the drug’s inhibition of the production of a molecule, it can take several days for the body to eliminate Aspirin from the system, and replenish its stores of COX.

Aspirin’s history of use, low instance of serious side effects, and effectiveness make it a good choice for over-the-counter treatment of painful or inflammatory conditions.