{"id":60517,"date":"2023-09-26T11:26:53","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T15:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60517"},"modified":"2025-12-03T13:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:36:53","slug":"lipitor-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lipitor-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Lipitor generic availability, cost, and dosage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lipitor<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>atorvastatin<\/span><\/a>) is a drug commonly prescribed to treat high cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. <\/span>Atorvastatin<\/span><\/a>\u2014the generic\u2014is 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 <\/span>statins<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a generic for Lipitor?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Atorvastatin<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>prior authorization<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Lipitor?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>abbreviated new drug application<\/span><\/a> (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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Appearance<\/span><\/h3>\n

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 \u201c10\u201d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dosage forms<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical studies<\/span><\/h3>\n

One <\/span>cohort study<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The table below contains important information about Lipitor and its generic, atorvastatin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug information<\/td>\nLipitor (<\/span>atorvastatin<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uses<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Lowers low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in people with various types of high cholesterol<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Reduces cardiovascular mortality and events (including risk of heart attacks and strokes) in people with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/span><\/td>\n\n
Common side effects<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Pain in your bones, spine, joints, or muscles<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Muscle spasms<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Stomach upset or nausea<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Insomnia or trouble sleeping<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Runny or stuffy nose<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Urinary tract infection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contraindications<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do not take atorvastatin if you have a history of liver disease, liver problems, or cirrhosis<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Do not take atorvastatin if you have had a very serious allergic reaction to atorvastatin or any other statin drug<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Atorvastatin should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other considerations<\/span><\/td>\n\n