Cholesterol update
Cholesterol-cutting Lipitor moved from Tier II to Tier III in the city’s drug formulary, May 1. It will cost $45 for a 30-day supply and $90 for a 90-day supply if mail ordered. Lipitor will not have a generic version before 2010.

Zocor, another popular cholesterol-controlling medication, also moved from Tier II to Tier III on May 1. Zocor has the generic equivalent, simvastatin, which costs $10 for a 30-day supply. Zocor went off patent in 2006.

Crestor, a Tier II anti-cholesterol drug, also shrinks blockages responsible for heart attacks.

Hypertension
Norvasc, a Tier II high blood pressure drug, has lost patent protection. On April 11, the Food and Drug Administration approved amlodipine besylate tablets as the generic equivalent.

Toprol XL, a Tier II top-selling high blood pressure and angina drug, will lose patent protection on Sept. 17. The FDA has approved a generic version, metoprolol succinate, which is expected to be available this fall.

Perchance to dream
Ambien, a Tier II drug popular for the short-term treatment of insomnia, has gone off patent. The FDA approved the first generic equivalent, zolpidem tartrate, on April 23.

Consumers save money and help tame wild drug prices by using generic versions. The FDA reports generics work as well as the over-advertised brand names.