Two of the city’s most popular prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications lost patent protection this year, which could result in significant savings for consumers.

Zocor and Pravachol are now available in cheaper generic versions – simvastatin (SIM vuh stah tin) and pravastatin (PRA vuh stah tin) – both approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

Generic versions are not a second-choice, second-best drug. Chemically, they’re the same as brand names, but usually cost less. FDA approval means generic drugs meet the same standards of quality and safety as brand names.

Do generics look different?
Yes. For legal reasons, the generic will have a different size, color and shape. But this does not affect quality. Generic versions deliver the same amount of active ingredients in the same time frame as brand names.

Are generics available for all prescription drugs?
No. However, 55 percent of prescriptions filled among members in the city’s health plans, were written for generics. And almost 50 percent of prescriptions filled nationwide are now for the generic equivalent.

What are my savings?
By taking a generic equivalent, you make the lowest copayment in the drug formulary, $10 for a 30-day supply.

What else is going generic?
Zoloft went off patent in June and the hypertension medication, Norvasc, will lose protection in 2007.
Lipitor, the top-selling cholesterol-controlling medication in the nation, won’t lose patent exclusivity until 2010-2011. If using Lipitor, ask your doctor about generic versions of Zocor or Pravachol.