Is there a generic for Lipitor?

Yes — 28 approved generic versions of Lipitor (atorvastatin) are tracked in our index. Generic substitution is typically automatic at the pharmacy unless the prescriber writes "dispense as written."

How much cheaper is generic atorvastatin?

Generic small-molecule drugs typically launch at 60-80% discount to the originator. After multiple manufacturers enter the market (12-24 months post-cliff), prices drop further to 85-95% below originator. Your insurance copay may not reflect the full savings — check the cash price too.

Are generics as effective as the brand?

For small-molecule drugs: yes. Generics are required to demonstrate bioequivalence — identical active ingredient, same dose, same route, same indication. Pharmacokinetic equivalence within tight bounds (±20% AUC + Cmax). Most patients can switch without clinical effect.

When did Lipitor go generic?

Generic atorvastatin entered the US market when the originator's exclusivity expired. See the patent timeline below for specific dates.

Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · How we verify

Lipitor generic

Complete generic competition for Lipitor (atorvastatin): 28 approved generics across manufacturers, 0 filed under FDA review. 2 active patents remain. Sourced from FDA Orange Book + USPTO.

28 approved generics 2 active patents

About Lipitor

Lipitor (atorvastatin) — originally marketed by Pfizer Inc.. Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). First approved 1996-12-17.

Approved generic versions (28)

Generic	Manufacturer	Phase
Atorvastatin (generic Lipitor)	University of Pennsylvania	marketed
atorvastatin, aspirin, losartan, amlodipine	Russian Cardiology Research and Production Center	marketed
Atorvastatin and fenofibrate	The University of Western Australia	marketed
Atorvastatin-esomeprazole	Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec	marketed
Atorvastatin (Lipinon)	Seoul National University Hospital	marketed
Atorvastatin, Ezetimibe	Abant Izzet Baysal University	marketed
atorvastatin plus ezetimibe	Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine	marketed
Atorvastatin (Lipilou)	Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical	marketed
atorvastatin and clopidogrel	Ospedale Misericordia e Dolce	marketed
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)	University of Chicago	marketed
Atorvastatin, Probucol, Cilostazol	Otsuka Beijing Research Institute	marketed
atorvastatin,pravastatin	Shenyang Northern Hospital	marketed
Atorvastatin, Amlodipine, Perindopril	Charles University, Czech Republic	marketed
Atorvastatin, high vs low dose	Hippocration General Hospital	marketed
Atorvastatin B	Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company Limited	marketed
Atorvastatin-pantoprazole	Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec	marketed
Atorvastatin and Omega-3 fatty acids	Pfizer's Upjohn has merged with Mylan to form Viatris Inc.	marketed
Atorvastatin-ranitidine	Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec	marketed
atorvastatin 3 days	Radboud University Medical Center	marketed
Atorvastatin Calcium tablets 80mg	Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital	marketed
Atorvastatin 10mg	Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre	marketed
Atorvastatin 80 mg	Organon and Co	marketed
Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin	Wenzhou Medical University	marketed
Atorvastatin 10 mg	Organon and Co	marketed
atorvastatin 7 days	Radboud University Medical Center	marketed
Atorvastatin A	Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company Limited	marketed
Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets	NYU Langone Health	marketed
Atorvastatin-omeprazole	Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Quebec	marketed

Originator patent timeline

Active patents (2)

2037-06-07 — 11654106 · US
2037-06-07 — 11369567 · US

Expired patents (0)

No expired patents tracked.

How small-molecule generic approval works

Generic versions of small-molecule drugs are approved by the FDA via the Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) pathway under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984. Sponsors must demonstrate bioequivalence (pharmacokinetic equivalence within tight bounds) and identical chemical composition — no clinical trials in patients are required. Approval typically takes 18-24 months.

This is different from biosimilars for biologic drugs, which use the more complex 351(k) BLA pathway and typically achieve smaller (15-35%) discounts vs the originator. Small-molecule generics typically launch at 60-80% discount, dropping to 85-95% within 2 years.

Subscribe to generic updates

Lipitor full drug profile
Biosimilar tracker (for biologic drugs)
Patent cliff tracker
Biosimilar vs generic — what's the difference?

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing