[flamingo]

I was on Lipitor with no problems. I tried a generic,Atorvastatin, and have muscle weakness and pain in my hips, knees, calves, arches, and jaws. Aren't generics supposed to have the same ingredients? Anyone have the same experience?

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by flamingo

I was on Lipitor with no problems. I tried a generic,Atorvastatin, and have muscle weakness and pain in my hips, knees, calves, arches, and jaws. Aren't generics supposed to have the same ingredients? Anyone have the same experience?

I recently went on generic Lipitor as well. I spoke to my internist about it last week.
The Doc mentioned that for a shortwhile the generic is the same as the original as they are produced by the same drug company. That's something to check out. I've been on Lipitor 12 years and have not had any muscle weakness. Haven't rec'd my cholesteral count yet...

[spk7951]

Had been on Lipitor for many years without any issues and it has worked great for my cholesterol. In early March when I requested a refill Caremark sent me back Atorvastatin. So far no problems but the real test will be in September when I go back for blood work and see what the cholesterol numbers look like.

[blueash]

There are two companies licensed to produce generic lipitor for the first six months after the end of patent, which is about to end at the end of May. One is Ranbaxy which is making the product independantly and the other is Watson. Watson is actually selling the original Pfizer product. Now having said that, the active ingredient is identical in all products. The tablet must dissolve and give blood levels the same as the brand name. There can be differences in color, shape, and the binders and other inert products in the pill.

The FDA does post marketing data collection and if you believe that the medication you are taking is not behaving the same as the brand name then you may file a report with the FDA.

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Safety/.../ucm082725.pdf

Keep in mind that just because one event follows another does not mean the first event caused the second (post hoc ergo propter hoc) The price for generic lipitor will drop amazingly in one more month. Look for the 3 month at 10 dollar kind of pricing as more manufacturers enter the marketplace.