Which of the following is a well-known brand name for a statin medication?

The correct choice identifies Lipitor as a well-known brand name for a statin medication. Statins are a class of drugs used primarily to lower cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lipitor, which contains the active ingredient atorvastatin, has been widely prescribed for lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and has a robust body of clinical evidence supporting its efficacy in reducing heart attack and stroke risk.

While Zocor, which contains simvastatin, is also a statin medication, Lipitor is often more recognized by the public and healthcare professionals due to its extensive marketing and being one of the best-selling medications in history. Furosemide is a diuretic used to treat fluid retention, and Metformin is an oral medication used for managing type 2 diabetes, neither of which belong to the statin class. By understanding the distinction between these medications, recognizing Lipitor as a statin helps reinforce the knowledge about cholesterol management in outpatient practice.