New name for atorvastatin?

[robert@fm]

Just got a new batch (3 months' supply) of various of my meds, and one of them was atorvastatin.

To my surprise, the brand name prominently displayed on the front was Prevencor (I had to check the dispensing label on the back to know what they were), although the back says Lipitor as usual.

Is this a sign that the patent may soon be expiring, probably leading to cheaper atorvastatin? From what I've read on these boards, one reason simvastatin is more commonly prescribed is because simvastatin is available as a generic and hence cheaply, whereas atorvastatin is only Lipitor (or was until now?).

 

[Lauren]

It might be a parallel import if it still says 'Lipitor' on the back.

 

[Steff]

Strange,mine were still the same name and got my new batch friday

 

[cherrypie]

Just got a new batch (3 months' supply) of various of my meds, and one of them was atorvastatin.

To my surprise, the brand name prominently displayed on the front was Prevencor (I had to check the dispensing label on the back to know what they were), although the back says Lipitor as usual.

Is this a sign that the patent may soon be expiring, probably leading to cheaper atorvastatin? From what I've read on these boards, one reason simvastatin is more commonly prescribed is because simvastatin is available as a generic and hence cheaply, whereas atorvastatin is only Lipitor (or was until now?).

I did put a link in this thread about the patent expiring in May of this year Robert.

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=27215&highlight=lipitor

 

[trophywench]

OTOH when I originally had Atorvastatin until they later changed it to Simvastatin because it was cheaper, and that I had the memory probs with so stopped taking em - they were always called Atorvastatin, never Lipitor which I always understood was the brand name they sold it as in the USA !

You know like Novorapid is called Novalog or something?

 

[RachelT]

Yeah, Lipitor is the brand name, i think it's pfizer who make it, but it's clearly just come off patent. i think Pfizer are fairly hacked off about it, but it means that any drug company with a licence can make atorvastatin and call it whatever they like (well, they have to put "atorvastatin" on the label.) It's like Cornflakes, you can buy stuff that looks and tastes just like cornflakes but unless it's made by Kelloggs you have to call it "crispy flakes" or something. It's the same stuff if it says "atorvastatin" on it, but it came from a different company. This might, in time, mean that atorvastatin's cheaper, although i'm not sure if it's "better" as such, it just works better for some people than simvastatin.

 

[Jill]

OTOH when I originally had Atorvastatin until they later changed it to Simvastatin because it was cheaper, and that I had the memory probs with so stopped taking em - they were always called Atorvastatin, never Lipitor which I always understood was the brand name they sold it as in the USA !

You know like Novorapid is called Novalog or something?

Can Simvastatin cause memory problems? My doctor wants me to take Simvastatin even though my cholesterol is OK. I have enough of a problem with memory already - don't want to make it worse!

 

[RachelT]

Not as far as i know, but then i can't think of any drugs that do. Some of the things people take for bipolar disorder or schitzophrenia can do odd things to the personality but i'm not sure that even they cause memory loss. Simvastatin's major problem is that it can cause muscle problems, in some people, if you get muscle aches or pains when taking it you should see your doctor.

 

[Jill]

Ah, perhaps I misunderstood Trophywench's meaning and it's reassuring to know Simvastatin doesn't affect memory. I did know about the muscle aches attributed to statins but I also believe they should not be used by anyone with liver disease. When I looked online I came across the following 'In particular, the following drugs seem to make the statins more likely to cause problems: - prenisolone (Prednisone) and steroid inhalers'. As I use a steroid inhaler for COPD, this makes me even more worried about taking statins.

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Jill,

Different people have different reactions to statins, some no problems, some an isolated problem and some multiple problems.

As to the memory loss, I have an acquaintance, not a diabetic, whose family thought she needed a check up for possible dementia. Her Dr. was concerned and took her off her statins to see if there was an improvement. Within a couple of months she was back to her old self. She had been taking statins for eight months.

Read this article and the comments, you have to research well before you decide that statins are for everybody. You may not get any problems but there are loads of people who do.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/4974840/Wonder-drug-that-stole-my-memory.html

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I wonder if your Dr is trying to get the apparent improvement in heart health that appears to come with statins over and above their cholesterol-lowering properties Jill? Not really looked into it much as statins have never been suggested for me, but I gather that a very low dose of statin seems to confer a reduction in CVD likelihood whether or not cholesterol is reduced by a large percentage.

There are hundreds and thousands of peeps who take statins without any problem, while others have side-effects that appear to clear up when statins are discontinued. Statins often get a fairly hard time in forums like this because people that have problems (or know people that have had nasty experiences) share their experiences, and also I suppose, because folk are a little sceptical of a tablet that is heralded as a 'wonder drug' that everyone should be taking.

Probably best to discuss your concerns with your GP and then decide what's best for you.

 

[Jill]

Cherrypie. Thank you - this really is food for thought and a very interesting article. I do sometimes feel that today's wonder drug is tomorrow's compensation claim.
Everyday. In this town we say if you go to the docs with a pimple on your nose, they'll prescribe statins! But it's good to get a balanced view and thank you for that.