Lipitor is a brand name for atorvastatin, which is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to Drug Patent Watch [1], Lipitor was first approved by the FDA in 1996 and is still under patent protection until 2021. One of the potential side effects of atorvastatin is liver damage. However, the severity and frequency of liver damage due to atorvastatin use are rare and are not fully understood.

Liver biopsy is a diagnostic test that involves taking a small sample of liver tissue to examine it under a microscope. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology [2], liver biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI), which can be caused by atorvastatin. The study found that liver biopsy is a useful tool for diagnosing DILI and can help differentiate it from other liver diseases.

However, the Mayo Clinic [3] suggests that liver biopsy is not always necessary to diagnose liver damage caused by atorvastatin. In some cases, blood tests and imaging studies may be enough to diagnose liver damage. The decision to perform a liver biopsy should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's overall health and medical history.

In conclusion, a liver biopsy can be used to confirm liver damage caused by atorvastatin. However, the decision to perform a liver biopsy should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the patient's overall health and medical history. Blood tests and imaging studies may be enough to diagnose liver damage caused by atorvastatin in some cases.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5434713/
[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352158