According to the sources provided, it is generally safe to switch to generic Lipitor (atorvastatin). Lipitor is a brand-name drug that was first approved by the FDA in 1996 [1]. The patent for Lipitor expired in 2011, which allowed other pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions of the drug [1]. The generic version of Lipitor contains the same active ingredient (atorvastatin) as the brand-name drug, but it may have different inactive ingredients [2].
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that switching from brand-name Lipitor to a generic version of atorvastatin did not increase the risk of hospitalization for any adverse events [3]. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 patients who had switched from Lipitor to a generic version of atorvastatin between 2011 and 2015 [3]. The researchers found that there was no significant difference in the risk of hospitalization for adverse events between patients who switched to a generic version of atorvastatin and those who continued taking brand-name Lipitor [3].
However, it is important to note that some patients may experience different side effects or have different reactions to the generic version of atorvastatin compared to the brand-name drug [2]. It is recommended that patients discuss any concerns or questions they have about switching to a generic version of Lipitor with their healthcare provider [2].
In conclusion, based on the sources provided, it appears that switching to generic Lipitor is generally safe. However, patients should discuss any concerns or questions they have with their healthcare provider before making the switch.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/switching-to-generic-lipitor-201202064195
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514478/