We recommend Lipitor or generic atorvastatin only if you need to lower your LDL by 30 percent or more and have a history of either heart attack or acute coronary syndrome. In those situations, the drug clearly helps prevent heart attacks and cuts the risk of premature death. But we recommend different statins in other circumstances. Those drugs are just as effective as their brand-name versions Altoprev and Mevacor for lovastatin, and Pravachol for pravastatin , but cost less. It works as well as its brand-name counterpart, Zocor, but is less expensive.
In those cases, the drugs listed above are as safe and effective as Lipitor or generic atorvastatin, and often cheaper. Lipitor or generic atorvastatin? Indeed, your new co-pay for Lipitor might actually be lower than what you now pay. And you might be able to reduce you co-pay further by using the manufacturer discount program for Lipitor, which is slated to run until December The program is not available if you live in Massachusetts; if you have Medicare or Medicaid or another federal or state health plan; if you have a state-sponsored discount pharmacy card; or if your own private insurance covers your drug costs in full.
Also, not all pharmacies accept the coupons. So you might have to shop around or order the drug directly from Pfizer. Note that even if your doctor writes you a prescription for generic atorvastatin, for now, some insurers might require that your pharmacist fill it with the brand-name version instead.
You can find out whether your plan is changing its coverage by going to Medicare. After May , more generic drug companies will be able to manufacture the drug, which should help lower the price somewhat. On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services. If you have questions about how you can pay for atorvastatin, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you still have questions about the cost of atorvastatin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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