Key takeaways
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) and Pravastatin (Pravachol) are both statins used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart problems like heart attacks and strokes. Rosuvastatin is available in both generic and brand name forms, while Pravachol's brand name is no longer available, but you can still get it as a generic. Rosuvastatin can be taken at any time of the day, whereas it's often recommended to take Pravastatin at night for better effectiveness. Rosuvastatin is considered a moderate-to-high intensity statin, meaning it can lower LDL cholesterol by more than 50% at certain doses, while Pravastatin is not a high-intensity statin. Both medications can cause muscle pain and liver problems, but Rosuvastatin has a higher risk of causing severe muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis. Both medications might raise blood sugar levels, especially in people with pre-diabetes, while Pravastatin has fewer interactions with other medications and might be better tolerated. Both medications should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
