How does lipitor impact protein absorption timing?

Lipitor does not interfere with protein absorption timing.

Lipitor, known generically as atorvastatin, works by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase. This reduces cholesterol synthesis inside the liver cells. The drug reaches its peak blood levels 1–2 hours after swallowing a tablet, but it does not affect digestion or the rate at take-up of proteins from the food you eat.

What happens if you take Lipitor with food?
Lipitor is labeled for use either with or without food. Taking it with meals changes neither the amount of active drug that reaches your bloodstream nor its ability to lower LDL cholesterol. Studies show that food does not alter the drug’s pharmacokinetics, meaning the timing of protein meals has no measurable effect on how Lipitor performs.

Can Lipitor slow down gastric emptying or digestion?
No reliable clinical data indicate that atorvastatin slows gastric emptying or disrupts protein digestion. Atorvastatin is not a gastrointestinal motility agent. It does not belong to the class of drugs that are known to retch, or delay, the time between swallowing a protein-rich meal and its absorption in the small intestine.

When does the patent for Lipitor expire?
The original patent on Lipitor ended in November 2011. Since then, many generic versions of atorvastatin have entered the market. DrugPatentWatch.com