[Dr. West Conner]

Lipitor is one the most popular brand name medications on the market today. It is used for the reduction of cholesterol. In 2004, Lipitor was prescribed nearly 70 million times. That’s roughly 200,000 prescriptions per day, every day. Even at the lowest dose price, $80, that comes to $16 million every day spent on Lipitor in 2004. Let’s see what we can do to lower your cost for Lipitor.

Strength Cost for 30 whole tablets Cost for 30 half tablets
10mg $80 $40
20mg $110 $55
40mg $110 $55
80mg $110 $55

1. As you can see in the chart above, the cost does not increase from 20mg to 80mg. If you are currently taking 10mg daily, ask you doctor if you can get the 20mg strength and cut them in half. This little tip can save you $25 per month. If you are taking 20mg or 40mg, you can save $55 per month.

2. If you know you will be taking Lipitor for at least three months, buy large quantities. This will initially cost you more money but your overall cost will be less. Below is the approximate cost for a three month supply of Lipitor.

Strength Cost for 90 whole tablets Three month savings
10mg $225 $15
20mg $310 $20
40mg $310 $20
80mg $310 $20

While a $15 or $20 savings doesn’t sound like much, you will save in other ways. You only have to go to the pharmacy once every three months. You will save gas, time, and aggravation.

3. Can your doctor change your medication to the less expensive generic lovastatin? Lovastatin is the only generic available for this class of medication.

Medication Average monthly cost
Lipitor $102.50
lovastatin $31

By switching to the generic lovastatin, you could save over $70 per month. Even is you have insurance, you will pay the generic co-pay instead of the higher brand co-pay.

4. A little known but effective technique involves taking statins every other day. There are several legitimate studies which prove that every other day dosing is just as effective as daily dosing. Your doctor has to approve of doubling your strength and taking the medication every other day. This can save you just as much as doubling your dose and cutting them in half, $25 to $55 a month.

5. Combine tip one and five for incredible savings. What if you were to quadruple your dose, cut it in half, and take it every other day. The most popular strength of Lipitor is 20mg. If you quadruple it to 80mg, cut in half to 40mg, and take it every other day, you will save you $84 per month.

6. Make sure you compare prices with various pharmacies. Pharmacies, like insurance companies, make special “dealsâ€� with the drug manufacturers and wholesalers to get lower prices. Below are prices from three different retailers.

Lipitor CVS Walgreens Costco
10mg $80 $85 $76
20mg $122 $116 $103
40mg $121 $116 $104
80mg $123 $116 $105

When you are shopping around, be sure to have the strength and quantity for the pharmacy to give you an accurate price. You can also ask if they will match the lowest price you find. Some will and some will not.