Lipitor is a medication used to treat high cholesterol levels. It works by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. The brand name Lipitor is manufactured by Pfizer, and it was first approved by the FDA in 1996 [1].
According to drugpatentwatch.com, the patent for Lipitor expired in 2011, which allowed other companies to produce generic versions of the drug [1]. A generic drug is a medication that is equivalent to the brand name drug in terms of dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, and intended use [2].
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine found that generic versions of Lipitor are just as effective as the brand name drug in lowering cholesterol levels [3]. The study compared the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin (generic Lipitor) to Lipitor in patients with high cholesterol levels. The study found that both drugs were equally effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels, and the safety profiles of both drugs were similar [3].
It is worth noting that generic drugs may have different inactive ingredients than the brand name drug, which can cause different side effects or allergic reactions in some people [4]. However, the FDA requires that generic drugs have the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand name drug [5].
In conclusion, generic versions of Lipitor are just as effective as the brand name drug in lowering cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the US National Library of Medicine. While there may be differences in inactive ingredients between the brand name drug and generic versions, the FDA requires that generic drugs have the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand name drug.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4859299/
[4] https://ro.co/health-guide/generic-lipitor/
[5] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/abbreviated-new-drug-application-anda-generic-drug-approval