Can lipitor be taken immediately after eating?

What happens if I take Lipitor with food?

Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a popular cholesterol-lowering medication. When considering taking Lipitor with food, it's essential to understand its absorption and interaction with the digestive system.

According to the atorvastatin manufacturer's guidance, taking Lipitor with a meal that contains a moderate amount of fat has been shown to delay the time it takes for the body to absorb the medication, but it may also affect its availability in the bloodstream [1]. However, this is not necessarily a concern, as Lipitor is still absorbed into the bloodstream within a reasonable timeframe.

To minimize any potential differences in absorption, the Lipitor label recommends taking the medication on an empty stomach in the evening, one to two hours after a evening meal, with a low-fat meal that contains less than 20 grams of fat, or at bedtime [1]. However, taking Lipitor with food is not strictly contraindicated; it's possible to take it with a meal that contains a moderate amount of fat.

What if I miss the optimal dosing time?

If you miss the recommended dosing window or accidentally take Lipitor with a meal, it's unlikely to have a significant impact on the medication's effectiveness. However, it might lead to minor variations in the absorption rate.

Who makes Lipitor, and are there any biosimilars on the horizon?

Lipitor is a registered trademark of Pfizer, a global pharmaceutical company. While there are no immediate biosimilar versions of atorvastatin available, it's expected that biosimilar versions may enter the market before the patent expires [2]. This could lead to cost savings for consumers, particularly once the medication goes off-patent.

When does the Lipitor patent expire?

The patent for Lipitor, a major contributor to Pfizer's pharmaceutical sales, expired in the United States in June 2011, followed by the European Union in 2012 and Canada in 2014 [3]. Despite the patent expiry, pharmaceutical companies such as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Mylan, and Watson Laboratories have developed and sold biosimilar versions of atorvastatin.

References:

[1] atorvastatin (LIPITOR) package insert. Pfizer. 2023.

[2] Biosimilar Atorvastatin (Generic Lipitor) - Regulatory Filings. DrugPatentWatch. [Online] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/products?name=atorvastatin%20biosimilar%20(generic%20lipitor) [Accessed on 15 May 2026].

[3] Atorvastatin. Patent Term. Drugs.com [Online]. https://www.drugs.com/patent/atorvastatin#expiry-date [Accessed on 15 May 2026].