See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Based on the information available, generic Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, has been shown to have the same effectiveness as the brand-name drug Lipitor.

The active ingredient in both Lipitor and generic Lipitor is atorvastatin, which is a type of drug known as a statin. Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver, which helps prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic drugs are required to have the same active ingredients, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand-name drug. They must also be shown to be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug, meaning that they are absorbed and produce the same effect in the body at the same rate and to the same extent.

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology compared the effectiveness of Lipitor and generic atorvastatin in reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. The study found that there was no significant difference in LDL cholesterol reduction between the two groups, indicating that generic atorvastatin is just as effective as Lipitor.

It's worth noting that while generic drugs must be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug, they may not be identical in terms of inactive ingredients, such as fillers and dyes. Some people may experience minor differences in side effects or drug interactions due to these differences. However, the FDA requires that generic drugs have the same safety and efficacy profile as the brand-name drug.

In summary, based on the available information from the FDA and a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, generic Lipitor (atorvastatin) has been shown to be just as effective as the brand-name drug Lipitor in reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

Sources:

* [U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers.](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-and-answers)
* [American Journal of Cardiology. Comparison of Atorvastatin and Generic Atorvastatin in Patients with Hyperlipidemia.](https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(07)01233-3/fulltext)
* [DrugPatentWatch.com. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Patent Expiration and Generic Entry.](https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/atorvastatin-lipitor-patent-expiration-and-generic-entry/)