Generic versions of Lipitor, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, are called atorvastatin generics. Atorvastatin is the active ingredient in Lipitor, and its patents have expired, allowing other manufacturers to produce generic versions [1].

The process of creating a generic drug involves replicating the active ingredient of an already approved drug, in this case, atorvastatin. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generic drugs have the same quality, strength, purity, and stability as the brand-name drug [2].

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Lipitor had multiple patents that expired between 2011 and 2017, which opened the door for generic manufacturers to produce and market atorvastatin [1]. As a result, consumers can find and purchase atorvastatin generics from various pharmaceutical manufacturers at a lower cost than the brand-name Lipitor [3].

Cited Sources:
[1] DrugPatentWatch.com, Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Patent Expiration & Generics. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/lipitor-atorvastatin/>
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-and-answers>
[3] GoodRx, Atorvastatin (Generic Lipitor) Prices. <https://www.goodrx.com/atorvastatin>