atorvastatin

noun

ator·va·stat·in ə-ˌtȯr-və-ˈsta-tᵊn

-ˈtȯr-və-ˌsta-

: a statin administered orally in the form of its hydrated calcium salt (C₃₃H₃₄FN₂O₅)₂·Ca₃H₂O to lower lipid levels in the blood

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web One writer noted that the nightmares went away with switching atorvastatin (Lipitor) from nighttime to morning. —

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Jan. 2023 The government paid insurance plans $919 million dollars to dispense 3.6 billion atorvastatin tablets in 2019. —

Alfred Engelberg, STAT, 11 Sep. 2021 The high markup imposed by insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers explains why the government pays 26 cents a pill for atorvastatin while Amazon sells it for 5 cents. —

Alfred Engelberg, STAT, 11 Sep. 2021 Metformin, used to treat type 2 diabetes, and cholesterol-lowering atorvastatin, the generic version for Lipitor, will no longer be free. —

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 17 Jan. 2020 When Pfizer’s patent on the best-selling statin Lipitor yielded to generic atorvastatin, the price quickly dropped by 95% and has remained comparatively negligible. —

Peter Kolchinsky, WSJ, 30 Sep. 2018 About 5 percent developed myalgias while taking the statin atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor), and about half that many developed myalgias while taking placebo, or more precisely, nocebo. —

Richard Klasco, New York Times, 1 June 2018 Surprisingly, more than half of these previously intolerant patients were able to tolerate low-dose atorvastatin. —

Richard Klasco, New York Times, 1 June 2018 Experts say 56 million people in the U.S. should be taking statins, such as atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (brand name Crestor). —

Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, 31 July 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atorvastatin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

ator- (perhaps alteration of lipid control) + -vastatin (as in lovastatin)

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of atorvastatin was in 1994

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atorvastatin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atorvastatin. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

atorvastatin

noun

ator·va·stat·in ə-ˌtȯr-və-ˈstat-ᵊn, -ˈtȯr-və-ˌstat-

: a statin that is administered orally (as in hypercholesterolemia) in the form of its hydrated calcium salt (C₃₃H₃₄FN₂O₅)₂Ca·3H₂O to lower lipid levels in the blood

Note: Atorvastatin is marketed under the trademark Lipitor and when used in combination with amlodipine, under the trademark Caduet.