Atorvastatin is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use with a healthy diet to:

For more details on atorvastatin’s approved uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details on atorvastatin:

  • Drug class: statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor)
  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • Brand-name version: Lipitor (oral tablet)

Read on to learn about atorvastatin and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of atorvastatin can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the average cost of atorvastatin will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug prices and atorvastatin.

Does the price of atorvastatin depend on the strength (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg)?

Yes. The price of atorvastatin can vary depending on the strength of the drug you’re prescribed. These price differences typically aren’t more than a few dollars. The price typically increases as the strength increases, but this can vary.

Talk with your pharmacist if you have more questions about the price of atorvastatin and how it varies by strength.

Can the cost of atorvastatin vary with and without insurance?

Yes, whether you have insurance can affect the price of atorvastatin. It’s likely that atorvastatin will cost more without insurance than it does if you have insurance coverage. Your pharmacist may be able to help you determine what atorvastatin costs without insurance.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider if you’re wondering about insurance coverage for atorvastatin.

Why isn’t atorvastatin available for free anymore?

Some pharmacies may offer atorvastatin for free, or they may have done so in the past. Whether or not atorvastatin is available for free near you will depend on whether a pharmacy near you offers this service. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist if they’re aware of any pharmacies that offer atorvastatin for free.

Atorvastatin is available in a brand-name form called Lipitor. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of Lipitor compares with the cost of atorvastatin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed atorvastatin and you’re interested in using Lipitor instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

Below are some tips that may help you reduce long-term drug costs with atorvastatin.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of atorvastatin. If your insurance company approves it, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Atorvastatin may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for atorvastatin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and atorvastatin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to you and atorvastatin. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for atorvastatin.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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 other 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.