See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Based on the information available, generic versions of Lipitor, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, have been proven to be just as effective as the brand-name drug [1].

Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a statin medication that works by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by the body [2]. When Lipitor's patent expired in 2011, generic versions of the drug became available on the market [1].

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic drugs are required to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand-name drug [3]. They must also be shown to be bioequivalent to the brand-name drug, meaning they must deliver the same amount of the active ingredient to the bloodstream at the same rate [3].

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that there were no significant differences in the effectiveness or safety of brand-name atorvastatin and its generic versions [4]. The study concluded that "generic atorvastatin is a safe and effective alternative to brand-name atorvastatin" [4].

In conclusion, based on the information available, generic versions of Lipitor are just as effective as the brand-name drug.

Sources:
[1] DrugPatentWatch.com, "Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Patent Expiration and Generic Entry", <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/lipitor-atorvastatin/>
[2] Mayo Clinic, "High cholesterol", <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20353195>
[3] FDA, "Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers", <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-and-answers>
[4] American Journal of Cardiology, "A Comparison of Brand-Name and Generic Atorvastatin", <https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(11)01632-2/fulltext>