Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. According to drugpatentwatch.com [1], Lipitor is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. However, the effectiveness of Lipitor compared to exercise in reducing cholesterol levels has been a topic of debate.

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology [2] compared the effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor) and exercise on lipid profiles in sedentary, overweight, and obese patients with high cholesterol levels. The study found that both atorvastatin and exercise significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. However, the study also found that exercise was more effective than atorvastatin in increasing HDL cholesterol levels, which is considered the "good" cholesterol.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association [3] compared the effects of atorvastatin and lifestyle modification (including exercise) on cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with high cholesterol levels. The study found that both atorvastatin and lifestyle modification significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels. However, lifestyle modification was more effective than atorvastatin in reducing other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and waist circumference.

In conclusion, while Lipitor is effective in reducing cholesterol levels, exercise has been found to be more effective in some aspects, such as increasing HDL cholesterol levels and reducing other cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, it is important to note that exercise and medication can be used together to achieve optimal results in managing high cholesterol levels.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16513898/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1312230/