Lipitor generic availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Generic Lipitor
• Brand-name vs. generic Lipitor
• Cost
• Coverage
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs
• Bottom line

In this article

• Generic Lipitor
• Brand-name vs. generic Lipitor
• Cost
• Coverage
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway
• FAQs
• Bottom line

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 in the U.S. market since 2011, when Lipitor’s patent protection expired. It is one of the most prescribed drugs on the market.

Viatris Inc. makes brand-name Lipitor tablets in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Multiple manufacturers produce generic atorvastatin, which is available in the same strengths. Because Lipitor has been available generically for so long, most insurance plans cover only the FDA-approved generic, and many pharmacies have it readily available. The brand name is still available but may be harder to find, and your insurance plan will likely not cover it unless you have prior authorization. 

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

Many people wonder about the difference between the brand-name drug Lipitor and the generic atorvastatin. Brand-name Lipitor and its generic equivalent each contain the same active ingredient, atorvastatin calcium. Generic medications must have the same amount of active ingredient and the same onset and duration of action.

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

Branded Lipitor and generic atorvastatin are available as oral tablets in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. The dose you take will depend on the amount of cholesterol in your blood, your medical conditions, and how your body reacts to the medication. The medication is often started at a low dose and increased until your cholesterol is at an optimum level. 

Clinical studies

One cohort study compared and followed patients who had been hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and were discharged home. These patients were given either brand-name Lipitor or generic atorvastatin and were followed for one year to compare outcomes for their medical condition. There were no significant differences in cardiovascular outcomes or side effects when comparing those who took brand-name Lipitor and those who took generic atorvastatin.

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

Lipitor (atorvastatin) at a glance
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 advanced liver disease 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 rarely cause serious side effects, such as muscle breakdown. 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 may have blood tests followed more closely if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your physician about all current and past health issues. You must still follow a healthy diet and exercise plan while taking statins. Drug therapy is intended as an adjunct to these programs. Limit 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 lower than that of the brand-name drug. The table below shows the price difference between the brand Lipitor and the generic atorvastatin.

Brand vs. generic Lipitor prices
Cost information	Brand-name Lipitor	Lipitor generic (atorvastatin)
Average cost without insurance	$708 for 30, 40 mg tablets of Lipitor	$140 for 30, 40 mg tablets of atorvastatin
SingleCare’s lowest price	$588 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

Is Lipitor covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans—including commercial insurance plans, Medicare prescription plans, and state Medicaid plans—cover generic atorvastatin. However, out-of-pocket costs vary by plan and by the stage of coverage 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, 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 prescription 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 let you know right away whether it is covered. 

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

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 statin medications, such as:

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

The best medicine for you will 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.”

Frequently asked questions

Is Lipitor still available as a brand name?

Yes, brand-name Lipitor is manufactured by Viatris, Inc. However, it is not as widely available as generic atorvastatin.

Can I ask my pharmacy for brand-name Lipitor instead of generic?

You may request brand-name Lipitor. But it may not be available in the pharmacy, and is unlikely to be covered by insurance. Generic atorvastatin is widely covered and available, and it contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name Lipitor. 

Bottom line

Switching to generic atorvastatin is safe and dramatically cheaper, and there are alternatives if it doesn’t agree with you.