Generic Statins

Currently, a few statin medications are available in generic form. Examples of generic statins include lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin. Some insurance companies may require you to try a generic version before they will cover a brand-name statin. Others may cover all statins, but the brand-name ones may have a higher copayment. Because individual plans vary, check with your insurance carrier for details.

Statin Medication Information

Are There Any Generic Statin Drugs?

Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are a group of prescription cholesterol medications. Some statin drugs are available in generic form; others are not.

Statins Available in Generic Form

The following statins are currently available in generic form:

Statin Drugs Unavailable in Generic Form

The following statins (or combination statin drugs) are not currently available in generic form:

Advicor^®(niacin extended-release/lovastatin)
Caduet^® (amlodipine and atorvastatin)
Crestor^® (rosuvastatin)
Altoprev^®(extended-release lovastatin)
Lescol^® (fluvastatin)
Lescol XL (fluvastatin extended-release)
Lipitor^® (atorvastatin)
Simcor^® (niacin extended-release/simvastatin)
Vytorin^® (ezetimibe/simvastatin).

Generic Statin Drugs and Insurance Plans

Some insurance companies may require you to try a generic statin before they will cover a brand-name version.

Others may cover all statins, but the brand-name ones may have a higher copayment (meaning your share of the expense is higher). Of course, each individual plan may vary, so make sure to check with your insurance carrier for the particular details for your situation. There have even been cases where insurance companies will cover a brand-name statin but not its generic counterpart, even though a generic version was available.