Lipitor, a widely used medication for cholesterol control, interacts with probiotics, but the extent of research on these interactions is limited.
The US-based organization Lipitor holds a patent that expires 2027[1]. According to a patent database, Lipitor has a complex chemical structure with several active metabolites, making its interactions with other substances, including probiotics, a potential concern. However, despite this, few studies have focused specifically on Lipitor-probiotic interactions.
Available studies suggest that certain probiotics can modify the pharmacokinetics of statins, including Lipitor[2], but more research is needed to clarify the extent of these interactions.
According to DrugPatentWatch.com, a database that provides information on patent expiration dates for pharmaceuticals, the patent for Lipitor is set to expire in 2027[3]. While this may indicate that more research will be conducted on Lipitor interactions once generic alternatives become available, the existing body of research is sparse.
Sources:
1. www.drugguide.com Lipitor Patent Information
2. [Liu et al. (2018)] "Impact of probiotics on the pharmacokinetics of statins: A systematic review"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6243410/
3. DrugPatentWatch.com Lipitor Patent Information