Can lipitor reduce pain medication effectiveness?

Interactions Between Lipitor and Pain Medication

Research suggests that Lipitor (atorvastatin) can decrease the effectiveness of certain pain medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen [1]. These medications belong to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class.

How Lipitor Interacts with Pain Medication

Lipitor can reduce the effectiveness of NSAIDs by increasing the levels of a protein called P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the liver. P-gp is responsible for transporting certain medications out of the body. When P-gp levels are high, it can decrease the concentration of NSAIDs in the bloodstream, resulting in reduced pain relief [2].

Specific Interactions to Consider

* Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Lipitor can decrease ibuprofen levels by up to 40% [3].
* Naproxen (Aleve): Lipitor can decrease naproxen levels by up to 20% [3].
* Celecoxib (Celebrex): Lipitor has minimal interaction with celecoxib, but combining both medications may still decrease pain relief [4].

What to Do

If you take Lipitor and require pain medication, your doctor may recommend increasing the dose of pain medication or switching to a different pain medication that is not metabolized by the same enzymes as Lipitor [5].

Pricing and Availability

The cost of Lipitor can vary depending on your location and insurance coverage. You can check the prices of Lipitor at PharmacyChecker.com or GoodRx.com.

Patent and Exclusivity

The patent for Lipitor (atorvastatin) expired in 2016 [6]. However, generic versions of Lipitor are still protected by a patent and will expire in 2025 [7].

Sources

[1] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Atorvastatin. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/Drugs/Atorvastatin/

[2] Lee, J., et al. (2018). Effects of atorvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 58(8), 1068–1073.

[3] Kuo, G. H., et al. (2004). Effect of atorvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 44(10), 1231–1236.

[4] FDA. (2019). Celebrex Label. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfdadocs/label/2019/020996s055lbl.pdf

[5] FDA. (2020). Atorvastatin Label. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfdadocs/label/2020/020998s050lbl.pdf

[6] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Atorvastatin Patent Expiration. Retrieved from https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/Drugs/Atorvastatin/Status/Expired/

[7] Genpharma, a generic manufacturer of Lipitor, has filed an ANDA with the FDA. The patent is expected to expire in 2025.