title: Ask the doctor. After a heart attack six years ago, I went on Lipitor (atorvastatin) because my doctor said it was proven to reduce the risk of a second heart attack in high-risk people like me. Three years ago, I switched to a generic (simvastatin) to save money. Now that Lipitor is going generic, should I switch back? And can I be assured that the generic version will be as effective as brand-name Lipitor at preventing a second heart attack?
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000069059:Atorvastatin; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D016568:Drugs, Generic; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin