Lipitor generic availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Lipitor?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Lipitor?
• How much is generic Lipitor?
• How do you get Lipitor covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Lipitor
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• Is there a generic for Lipitor?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Lipitor?
• How much is generic Lipitor?
• How do you get Lipitor covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Lipitor
• Expert takeaway

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a drug commonly prescribed to treat high cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. Atorvastatin—the generic—is widely used for many reasons, including safety, efficacy, and low cost. This drug is part of a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, more commonly referred to as statins. 

Is there a generic for Lipitor?

Atorvastatin is the generic name for Lipitor, and it has been available on the U.S. market since 2011 when the patent protection for Lipitor expired. It is one of the most prescribed drugs on the market.

Pfizer Inc. still makes available brand-name Lipitor tablets in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Generic atorvastatin is manufactured by multiple generic manufacturing companies and is available in the same strengths. Due to the fact that Lipitor has been available generically for so long, most insurance plans only provide coverage for the FDA-approved generic, and many pharmacies will only have the generic form readily available. The brand name is still available, but may be more difficult to locate, and your insurance plan likely will not cover the brand name unless you have prior authorization. 

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Lipitor?

Many people wonder about the difference between brand Lipitor and generic atorvastatin. Brand-name Lipitor and its generic equivalent each contain the same active ingredient, atorvastatin calcium. The Food and Drug Administration allows generic manufacturers to start making a generic form of a drug once the patent for the brand-name runs out. The generic manufacturers do not have to go through the same extensive clinical trials as the original brand-name manufacturer, but they must submit an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) and prove their product is bioequivalent. The generic form must have the same amount of active ingredient and the same onset and duration of action. The availability of multiple generic forms, coupled with the much smaller initial investment by the generic manufacturer, helps drive the cost of generics well below the price point of the original branded product. This also leads third-party payors, such as Medicare and commercial insurance plans, to prefer the generic over the brand name once the generic hits the market. 

Appearance

Brand-name Lipitor is manufactured as white, oblong tablets with an imprint corresponding to the milligram strength of that tablet. For example, the 10 mg Lipitor tablet has a “10” imprint on one side. The generic manufacturers each have their own imprint, size, shape, and color. Your pharmacist can verify the imprint for the specific manufacturer of the generic version they dispense.

Dosage forms

Brand Lipitor and its generics are available in oral tablet forms in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. The dose of Lipitor your healthcare professional chooses will be dependent upon the amount of cholesterol in your blood as depicted by your blood tests. 

Clinical studies

One cohort study compared and followed patients who had been hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and were discharged home after surviving. These patients were given either brand Lipitor or atorvastatin and followed for one year to compare outcomes in their medical condition. The primary outcome evaluated was death or recurrence of ACS. Secondary outcomes evaluated were heart failure, stroke, new-onset diabetes, rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure. There were no significant differences in primary or secondary outcomes when comparing those who took brand Lipitor and those who took generic.

The table below contains important information about Lipitor and its generic, atorvastatin. 

Drug information	Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Uses	Lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in people with various types of high cholesterol Reduces cardiovascular mortality and events (including risk of heart attacks and strokes) in people with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease
Standard dosage	The typical starting dose is 10 mg or 20 mg by mouth once daily (although some people will require a higher starting dose), and the typical maintenance dose is 10 mg to 80 mg by mouth once daily.
Common side effects	Pain in your bones, spine, joints, or muscles Muscle spasms Stomach upset or nausea Insomnia or trouble sleeping Runny or stuffy nose Sore throat Diarrhea Urinary tract infection
Contraindications	Do not take atorvastatin if you have a history of liver disease, liver problems, or cirrhosis Do not take atorvastatin if you have had a very serious allergic reaction to atorvastatin or any other statin drug Atorvastatin should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Other considerations	Atorvastatin may cause serious side effects, such as the breakdown of muscle tissue. This can lead to possible side effects such as kidney disease and kidney failure. Seek medical help immediately with any unexplained muscle pain, weakness, or dark urine. You must still follow a low-cholesterol diet and exercise plan while taking statins. Drug therapy is intended as an adjunct to these programs. You should limit alcoholic beverages and alcohol consumption while taking statin drugs. Some prescription drugs should not be taken with atorvastatin. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.  Grapefruit juice and certain herbal products and non-prescription medications may interfere with the absorption and efficacy of atorvastatin. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before beginning any new supplements or medications while taking atorvastatin.

How much is generic Lipitor?

The cost of generic Lipitor—atorvastatin—is much less than the brand-name drug. The table below shows the pricing difference for brand Lipitor vs. generic atorvastatin.

Brand vs. generic Lipitor prices
Cost information	Brand-name Lipitor	Lipitor generic (atorvastatin)
Average cost without insurance	$692 for 30, 40 mg tablets of Lipitor	$140 for 30, 40 mg tablets of atorvastatin
SingleCare’s lowest price	$561 for 30, 40 mg tablets of Lipitor at Kroger or Harris Teeter	$8 for 30, 40 mg tablets of atorvastatin at Kroger or Harris Teeter
Free coupons	Lipitor coupons	Atorvastatin coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of December 3, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

Is Lipitor covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans—including commercial insurance plans, Medicare prescription plans, and state Medicaid plans—provide coverage for generic atorvastatin. However, out-of-pocket costs vary by plan and what stage you are in. You can find out more about insurance coverage by contacting your specific plan or checking the most recent formulary. 

Brand-name Lipitor is less likely to be covered—or if it is covered, the copay may be higher. If your insurance plan does not pay for Lipitor or generic atorvastatin, there are ways to save on your atorvastatin Rx without insurance.

How do you get Lipitor covered by insurance?

In most cases, generic atorvastatin will be covered by insurance plans. You can contact your insurance plan for information or check your formulary. You can also have your healthcare provider send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy, where they can process the claim electronically and tell you right away if it is covered. 

However, if you are requesting brand-name Lipitor instead of generic atorvastatin, your insurance plan may require a prior authorization. This means your healthcare provider must submit additional information to your insurance plan as to why you need the brand name product. 

What are the off-label uses for Lipitor?

Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe drugs off-label. This means they are prescribing a drug for a use that is not approved by the FDA. Some of the off-label uses of Lipitor or generic atorvastatin include:

• Improving survival and preventing fatal rejection after a heart transplant 
• Slowing the progression of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries)
• Treating chronic heart failure
• Preventing narrowed blood vessels in the brain after a bleeding aneurysm

Generic alternatives to Lipitor

If you are interested in a generic alternative to Lipitor (besides atorvastatin), talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of other medications, such as:

• Ezetimibe
• Fluvastatin
• Lovastatin 
• Pitavastatin
• Pravastatin
• Rosuvastatin
• Simvastatin

The best medicine for you can only be determined by your healthcare provider, who knows your specific medical history, concerns, and treatment goals. 

Expert takeaway 

Karen Berger, Pharm. D., and member of the SingleCare Medical Board, says, “You may have heard that you need to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juices when taking Lipitor or generic atorvastatin. However, the prescribing information actually recommends avoiding drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice rather than avoiding it altogether. Different statins have different guidelines in terms of grapefruit interactions, so check with your healthcare provider if this is a concern.”