Lipitor is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It contains the active ingredient atorvastatin, which works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol. Lipitor was first approved by the FDA in 1996 and was initially only available as a brand-name medication. However, the patent for Lipitor expired in 2011, which allowed other pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions of the drug [1].

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, generic atorvastatin is as effective as brand-name Lipitor in reducing cholesterol levels. The study found that both the generic and brand-name versions of the drug had similar bioavailability, meaning that they were absorbed into the bloodstream at the same rate and to the same extent. The study also found that there were no significant differences in the safety or effectiveness of the two versions of the drug [2].

Medical News Today reports that generic atorvastatin is significantly less expensive than brand-name Lipitor. This is because the generic drug is produced by multiple pharmaceutical companies, which creates competition and drives down prices. The lower cost of generic atorvastatin makes it a more affordable option for patients who need to take the medication long-term [3].

In conclusion, generic atorvastatin is as effective as brand-name Lipitor in reducing cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. Additionally, generic atorvastatin is significantly less expensive than brand-name Lipitor, as reported by Medical News Today. Therefore, patients who need to take atorvastatin long-term may benefit from switching to the generic version of the drug.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514478/
[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/lipitor