If you’re looking at treatment options to improve your lipid levels (including cholesterol and triglycerides), you may want to learn more about atorvastatin (Lipitor).

Atorvastatin is a generic prescription drug that’s used to:

  • improve triglyceride levels in adults
  • improve cholesterol levels in adults and some children
  • reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, such as heart attack and stroke, in certain adults

Atorvastatin is used along with a balanced diet that’s low in saturated fat.

Atorvastatin comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It belongs to a group of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (also known as statins).

Keep reading for details on atorvastatin and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on atorvastatin, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for atorvastatin can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for atorvastatin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about atorvastatin and cost.

Does the cost of atorvastatin vary depending on the tablet strength (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, or 80 mg)?

Yes, it’s possible that the strength of atorvastatin affects the cost. Higher strengths may cost slightly more than lower strengths. But it’s usually not a big difference in price.

If you have questions about how much you’ll pay for the strength of atorvastatin you’ve been prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How much does atorvastatin cost without insurance?

The cost of atorvastatin without insurance can vary. If you’re concerned about paying for atorvastatin, there are resources available that may help reduce the cost of the drug. For details, see the “Can I get help paying for atorvastatin?” section below.

To learn how much you’d pay for atorvastatin without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may also be able to suggest ways that you can save money on atorvastatin.

How do the costs of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin compare?

Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are both generic drugs used to treat high cholesterol. The costs of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin are usually similar.

What you pay for either of these drugs may depend on several factors. These include which pharmacy you use, your insurance provider, and if you use any discount coupons.

To get a better idea of what you’d pay for these drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also be able to find cost information on your pharmacy’s or insurance provider’s website.

Atorvastatin is available as a brand-name drug called Lipitor. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the costs of Lipitor and atorvastatin compare, 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 prefer one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

If you take atorvastatin long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of atorvastatin if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of atorvastatin. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for atorvastatin. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through 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 help covering the cost of atorvastatin or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how you can pay for atorvastatin, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of atorvastatin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for atorvastatin.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Is there a less expensive medication that could treat my condition?
  • Could I use higher-strength atorvastatin tablets and split them in half to help to lower the cost?
  • Does my insurance plan have a preferred pharmacy?
  • Are there lifestyle changes I could make so that someday I might not need this medication?

Disclaimer: Healthline 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 another 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.