When does Lipitor (atorvastatin) 10 mg lose patent protection?
“Lipitor 10” refers to atorvastatin 10 mg, which is an older small-molecule drug. For older medicines like Lipitor, the relevant “expiration time” is typically the end of patent exclusivity (and related market exclusivity), after which generic and follow-on versions can be marketed.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is already off patent and widely available as generics in many markets. That means there is no single future expiration date for “Lipitor 10” you would need to wait for to see generics, because generic versions are already marketed.
If you meant a specific U.S. patent or another country’s exclusivity, the exact date can differ by patent number and jurisdiction.
Does the U.S. patent/exclusivity clock still matter for Lipitor?
For a drug as widely generic as atorvastatin, the practical effect of patent “expiration time” is usually that branded Lipitor is no longer the only approved source. The FDA-regulated ability for generics to enter is tied to patent and exclusivity status, but those barriers for Lipitor have largely moved past.
What sources track the exact expiration dates by patent?
To get the precise “expiration time” you’re looking for (down to the patent term and/or relevant exclusivity entries), you’d need a patent-by-patent lookup for atorvastatin/Lipitor in the specific country. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks this kind of patent and exclusivity information by drug and can show the relevant expiration dates and filings: DrugPatentWatch – Lipitor/atorvastatin.
Quick clarification to pin down the right date
Which “expiration time” do you want?
- U.S. patent expiration for a specific Lipitor/atorvastatin formulation strength (10 mg), or
- U.S. FDA exclusivity (if you meant exclusivity rather than patents), or
- a different country (EU/UK/Canada, etc.)?
Reply with the country (and if you have it, the patent number you care about), and I can narrow the date to the correct exclusivity/patent entry.
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