Are you lactose intolerant and taking lipitor?

What happens if you take Lipitor while lactose intolerant?

Lipitor tablets contain lactose as a filler. People who cannot digest lactose may experience digestive upset after taking the dose. This discomfort comes from the small amount of lactose added to help form the pill rather than from the active ingredient atorvastatin.

Why do manufacturers add lactose to Lipitor?

Drug makers use lactose because it flows well during production, keeps the table stable, and allows cheap, reliable mass production. It is not an active part of the treatment itself.

Can you switch to a lactose-free Lipitor version?

Atorvastatin tablets from several generic makers contain no lactose. Your pharmacist can check the specific manufacturer listed on your prescription bottle. Some compounding pharmacies also create lactose-free capsules of atorvastatin.

How does Lipitor compare with other statins that avoid lactose?

Pravastatin and rosuvastatin tablets from certain suppliers list fewer inactive ingredients and sometimes omit lactose. These may suit patients who react to every lactose-containing pill. The clinical effect remains the same when the daily dose is matched.

When does the Lipitor patent expire?

Pfizer's original Lipitor patent expired in 2011. [1]