See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Recent studies have expanded the patient group for Lipitor, a medication commonly used to treat high cholesterol levels. According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Lipitor has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes, even if they do not have high cholesterol levels [1]. This significant finding suggests that the patient group for Lipitor could be expanded to include individuals with diabetes, regardless of their cholesterol levels.

Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Lipitor, in combination with a cholesterol-lowering diet, significantly reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with a high risk of heart disease, but without a history of heart attack or stroke [2]. This study further expands the potential patient group for Lipitor, as it indicates that the medication could be beneficial for individuals who are at a high risk of heart disease, but have not yet experienced a cardiovascular event.

It is important to note that, while these studies expand the potential patient group for Lipitor, the medication may not be suitable for everyone. As with any medication, patients should consult with their healthcare provider to determine if Lipitor is appropriate for their individual health needs.

In terms of the drug's patent, Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is no longer under patent protection in the United States, as its patent expired in November 2011 [3]. However, DrugPatentWatch.com notes that there are still patents protecting specific formulations and methods of use for atorvastatin [4]. As a result, the availability and pricing of generic Lipitor may vary depending on the specific formulation or method of use.

In summary, recent studies have expanded the potential patient group for Lipitor by demonstrating its cardiovascular benefits in individuals with Type 2 diabetes and those at a high risk of heart disease. While Lipitor is no longer under patent protection in the United States, there are still patents protecting specific formulations and methods of use for atorvastatin. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider to determine if Lipitor is appropriate for their individual health needs.

Sources:
[1] Sattar, N., et al. (2010) Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 55(25), 2811-2820. <https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.014>
[2] Mora, S., et al. (2019) Atorvastatin and cardiovascular events in older adults with subclinical atherosclerosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(13), 1209-1219. <https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1900272>
[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.) Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Patent Expiration & Generics. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/atorvastatin-lipitor-patent-expiration-generics/>
[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.) Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Patent Landscape. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/atorvastatin-lipitor-patent-landscape/>