The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium tablets).
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd has gained approval to make generic atorvastatin calcium tablets in 10 milligram, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths. The drug will be manufactured by Ohm Laboratories in New Brunswick, NJ.
Atorvastatin is a statin, a type of drug that lowers cholesterol in the body by blocking an enzyme in the liver. Atorvastatin is used along with a low-fat diet to lower the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. The drug can raise HDL cholesterol as well. Atorvastatin lowers the risk for heart attack, stroke, certain types of heart surgery, and chest pain in patients who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as age, smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL, or family history of early heart disease.
In the clinical trials for Lipitor, the most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients were inflammation of the nasal passages, joint pain, diarrhea, and urinary tract infection.
Source: FDA
