How Does Lipitor's Price Stack Up Today?
Lipitor (atorvastatin), the best-selling statin of all time, is now generic and typically costs $10-30 for a 30-day supply of 20mg or 40mg doses at major U.S. pharmacies without insurance. This makes it cheaper than many brand-name cholesterol drugs but comparable to or slightly higher than other generic statins like simvastatin ($5-15/month) or pravastatin ($10-20/month).[1][2]
Why Was Lipitor Once the Most Expensive Option?
Pfizer's Lipitor patent expired in 2011, after which generics flooded the market and prices dropped over 90% from its peak of $150+/month. Before that, it dominated as the priciest statin due to heavy marketing and lack of competition.[3]
| Generic Statin | Typical 30-Day Cost (20-40mg, no insurance) |
|----------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Atorvastatin (Lipitor generic) | $10-30 |
| Simvastatin (Zocor generic) | $5-15 |
| Pravastatin (Pravachol generic) | $10-20 |
| Lovastatin (Mevacor generic) | $10-25 |
| Rosuvastatin (Crestor generic) | $15-40 |
Prices from GoodRx averages as of 2024; vary by pharmacy and location.[2]
What About Brand-Name Competitors?
Lipitor beats most brands on price post-generic:
- Crestor (rosuvastatin brand): $300-400/month.
- Zetia (ezetimibe): $300+/month (generic ~$20-50).
- Repatha (evolocumab, PCSK9 inhibitor): $500-600/month even with discounts.
Generics like Lipitor undercut these sharply, which is why 90%+ of atorvastatin prescriptions are generic.[1][4]
When Does Price Change with Insurance or Discounts?
With commercial insurance, copays for generic Lipitor often hit $0-10, matching or undercutting other generics. Medicare Part D plans cap statins at low costs under the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket limit. Use GoodRx or SingleCare coupons to drop cash prices below $5 for Lipitor generics—often the lowest for higher-potency doses.[2][5]
Are There Cheaper Alternatives for High Cholesterol?