Lipitor Generic - Generic For Lipitor
Lipitor generic: Many people who take medication for high cholesterol are prescribed Lipitor. Generic drugs, however, can provide one very significant advantages for patients, with no reduction in health benefits. When it comes to Lipitor, however, there's a difference between the generic for Lipitor and other drugs that are similar to Lipitor.
There's some confusion to clear up when it comes to the generic for Lipitor, however. Lipitor itself isn't yet available as a generic version, because the patent on that drug is still in effect. It won't be until the patent expires that other companies will be able to manufacture the Lipitor generic drug. Until, then, Lipitor itself is only available under the name Lipitor, and only from the single pharmaceutical company that originally developed the drug. It won't be until at least 2010 (when the patent on the drug expires) that a true Lipitor generic would be available.
However, there are other cheaper drugs available which work in a similar fashion to Lipitor. One of these is called Simvastatin, which became available in its generic version in 2007. This drug can be available for as little as one tenth of the cost of Lipitor, and has almost exactly the same benefits as the more expensive drug.
So, while there are no real "Lipitor Generic," Lipitor's like medicines do have a generic brand available. There are currently many other cholesterol-lowering statin drugs which do. As with all medications, of course, whether you are prescribed Lipitor, Simvastatin, or another cholesterol-lowering drug will depend on your individual circumstances.