See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

When comparing the potency of the brand name drug Lipitor to its generic equivalent, it's important to note that both forms of the medication contain the same active ingredient, atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is a type of drug known as a statin, which is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generic drugs have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand name drug. This means that the generic version of a drug should be just as effective as the brand name version.

However, there may be some differences in the inactive ingredients, such as binders, fillers, and dyes, between the brand name and generic versions of a drug. These inactive ingredients do not affect the potency or the way the drug works in the body.

It's important to note that while the FDA requires that generic drugs be equivalent to the brand name drug in terms of safety, effectiveness, and quality, there may be some differences in the way the drug is absorbed and metabolized in the body. This is known as bioequivalence.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for Lipitor expired in 2011, which allowed for the introduction of generic versions of the drug. This means that there are now several generic versions of atorvastatin available on the market, all of which should have the same potency as Lipitor.

In summary, there should be no significant difference in potency between the brand name drug Lipitor and its generic equivalent, atorvastatin. Both forms of the medication contain the same active ingredient and should be equally effective in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. However, there may be some differences in the inactive ingredients and the way the drug is absorbed and metabolized in the body.

Sources:

* [DrugPatentWatch.com](https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lipitor)