Lipitor vs Praluent
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Lipitor
Atorvastatin
Manufactured by Pfizer
Praluent
Alirocumab
Manufactured by Regeneron/Sanofi
Lipitor costs 98% less per claim than Praluent ($16.00 vs $706.00). A generic version of Lipitor is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Lipitor | Praluent |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $16.00 | $706.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $456.0M | $876.0M |
| Total Beneficiaries | 4,120,000 | 148,000 |
| Total Claims | 28,960,000 | 1,240,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $111.00 | $5,919.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -56.3% | +15.3% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Nov 30, 2011 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Pfizer | Regeneron/Sanofi |
| Condition | High Cholesterol | High Cholesterol |
| Generic Name | Atorvastatin | Alirocumab |
Lipitor vs Praluent: What the Data Shows
Lipitor (Atorvastatin) and Praluent (Alirocumab) are both used to treat high cholesterol. Based on Medicare Part D data, Lipitor costs $16.00 per claim, which is 98% less than Praluent at $706.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $456.0M on Lipitor and $876.0M on Praluent. In terms of patient reach, Lipitor serves more beneficiaries (4,120,000 vs 148,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -56.3% for Lipitor and +15.3% for Praluent. Praluent saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lipitor is cheaper at $16.00 per claim, compared to $706.00 for Praluent. That makes Lipitor about 98% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Lipitor and Praluent are used to treat high cholesterol. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Atorvastatin and generic Alirocumab can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $456.0M on Lipitor covering 4,120,000 beneficiaries, and $876.0M on Praluent covering 148,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.