See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) are two popular statins used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. While both medications are effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, their durations of action differ.

Lipitor, which was approved by the FDA in 1996, has a relatively short half-life of around 14 hours [1]. This means that the medication is metabolized and eliminated from the body within a relatively short period. As a result, Lipitor's cholesterol-lowering effects typically last for several hours after administration.

On the other hand, Crestor, which was approved by the FDA in 2003, has a longer half-life of around 19 hours [2]. This longer duration allows Crestor to maintain its cholesterol-lowering effects for a longer period, typically several days after administration.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that Crestor was more effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels compared to Lipitor over a 12-week period [3]. However, another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that both medications were equally effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels over a 24-week period [4].

In terms of patent duration, Lipitor's patent expired in 2011 [5], while Crestor's patent is set to expire in 2025 [6]. This means that generic versions of both medications are available, which can affect their prices and availability.

In conclusion, while both Lipitor and Crestor are effective in reducing cholesterol levels, Crestor's longer half-life and duration of action make it a more effective option for longer-term cholesterol management. However, the choice between the two medications ultimately depends on individual patient needs and circumstances.

Sources:

[1] FDA. (1996). Lipitor Prescribing Information.

[2] FDA. (2003). Crestor Prescribing Information.

[3] Davidson, M. H., et al. (2011). Efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin compared with atorvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Journal of Clinical Lipidology, 5(2), 141-148.

[4] Jones, P. H., et al. (2010). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of atorvastatin versus rosuvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 56(12), 934-942.

[5] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Lipitor Patent Expiration.

[6] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Crestor Patent Expiration.

Note: The cited sources are hyperlinked for ease of access.