Nearly 45% of all deaths from non-communicable diseases worldwide are caused by cardiovascular disease—a staggering reality that frames the story of atorvastatin, better known as Lipitor. In this episode of From Concept to Medicine’s Periodic Table of Medicine, we trace the full journey of one of the world’s most influential drugs.

From the centuries-long unraveling of cholesterol’s chemistry, through the serendipitous discovery of early statins in the 1970s, to Pfizer’s launch of atorvastatin in 1997, this episode dives deep into the science, medicine, and controversy behind a blockbuster. We explore how atorvastatin works to lower LDL cholesterol, its clinical uses from common hyperlipidemia to genetic conditions, and its role in reducing heart attack and stroke risk. Along the way, we unpack the intricacies of pharmacology, drug ...