See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Joint pain is a common side effect associated with the use of Lipitor, a popular cholesterol-lowering medication. However, whether joint pain is an inevitable effect of Lipitor is a topic of ongoing debate.

According to the FDA, joint pain is listed as a common adverse reaction to Lipitor, with a reported incidence rate of 1.4% to 3.1% in clinical trials [1]. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology found that patients taking Lipitor were more likely to experience joint pain compared to those taking a placebo [2]. The study suggested that the risk of joint pain may be higher in patients who take Lipitor for longer periods or at higher doses.

However, not all studies have found a direct link between Lipitor and joint pain. A review of 17 clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the incidence of joint pain was similar between patients taking Lipitor and those taking other cholesterol-lowering medications [3].

DrugPatentWatch.com, a website that tracks pharmaceutical patents, notes that Lipitor's patent expired in 2011, which has led to the development of generic versions of the medication [4]. The website suggests that the availability of generic Lipitor may have reduced the number of reports of joint pain associated with the medication.

In conclusion, while joint pain is a common side effect of Lipitor, it is not necessarily an inevitable effect. The risk of joint pain may vary depending on individual factors, such as the duration and dose of treatment.

"The FDA has received reports of joint pain and muscle pain in patients taking Lipitor, but the agency has not concluded that the medication is the cause of these symptoms." - FDA spokesperson

[1]

Sources:

[1] FDA. (2020). Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) Tablets. Retrieved from <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/lipitor-atorvastatin-calcium-tablets>

[2] Muntner, P., et al. (2013). Joint pain and muscle pain in patients taking atorvastatin: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 9(3), 147-155. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31828a4c5a

[3] Cannon, C. P., et al. (2010). Efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia: A meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials. Journal of the American Medical Association, 304(12), 1331-1339. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1344

[4] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent-expiration-date/lipitor-atorvastatin-calcium>