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Compare Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Fluvastatin
    Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
  • Fluvastatin
    Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

  • Summary of Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

    Summary for Statin
    Prescription only

    Fluvastatin is a low-to-moderate intensity statin that's usually added onto a heart-healthy diet for people with high cholesterol. It lowers "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raises "good" cholesterol in the body. It also helps lower the risk of complications like heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease. Generic fluvastatin immediate-release (IR) capsules are taken once or twice a day. There are also extended-release (ER) tablets that are taken once a day. The ER tablets are available under the brand name Lescol XL and as generic. Side effects include headache and indigestion.

    Summary for Statin
    Prescription only

    Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin that helps lower cholesterol. As a moderate-to-high-intensity statin, it can lower cholesterol by a greater amount than many other statins. It can also help protect your heart health. The dosage is taken by mouth once a day. Atorvastatin tablets are available as brand-name Lipitor and a generic. There's also a liquid form that only comes as brand name Atorvaliq. It's possible to have side effects like muscle pain, joint pain, and stomach upset. Most times, atorvastatin (Lipitor) is taken along with a heart-healthy diet to get the most benefits from treatment.

  • Indications of Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

    Indications for
    •Treatment of high cholesterol in adults
    •Treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH, a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol) in people age 10 years and older
    •Lower the risk of complications (e.g., heart attack) in adults with heart disease
    Indications for
    •High cholesterol in adults
    •High triglycerides in adults
    •Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in people ages 10 years and older
    •Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in people ages 10 years and older
    •Lowering the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in adults at high risk

  • Pros and Cons of Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

    Pros and Const for Statin
    Pros
    •Lowers the risk of problems caused by high cholesterol, like heart attack or stroke, in people with heart disease
    •Less likely to cause muscle problems than other statins
    Cons
    •Low-to-moderate intensity, so it isn't as strong as some other statins
    •Can't crush, chew, or open the pills if you have trouble swallowing them whole
    Pros and Const for Statin
    Pros
    •Can lower cholesterol by more than 50% at higher doses
    •Taken just once a day
    •Approved for children as young as 10 years old with genetic cholesterol problems
    •Also available as a liquid (Atorvaliq) for those who have trouble swallowing pills
    Cons
    •Can't take if you have liver problems
    •Higher risk of side effects for some people, like older adults and people who drink alcohol daily
    •Risk of a serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis
    •Not recommended while pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Common Side Effects of Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

    Common Side Effects for

    Immediate-release capsule:

    •Headache (9%)
    •Indigestion (8%)
    •Flu-like symptoms (5%)
    •Muscle pain (5%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)

    Extended-release tablet:

    •Flu-like symptoms (7%)
    •Headache (5%)
    •Muscle pain (4%)
    •Stomach pain (4%)
    •Indigestion (4%)
    •Sinus infection (4%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Common cold symptoms (8%)
    •Joint pain (7%)
    •Diarrhea (7%)
    •Pain in arms or legs (6%)
    •Urinary tract infection (UTI; 6%)
    •Indigestion (5%)

  • Warnings of Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Liver problems
    •Higher blood sugar levels
    •Risk of harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Liver problems
    •Higher blood sugar levels
    •Possible higher risk of brain bleed in certain people taking the 80 mg dose
    •Possible risk of harm when taken while pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Prices with our coupons for Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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