Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin for Coronary Artery Disease and High Cholesterol: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Fluvastatin

Atorvastatin

(Lipitor)

Summary for Fluvastatin

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.

Indications for Fluvastatin

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

Pros and Cons for Fluvastatin

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

Common Side Effects for Fluvastatin

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%)

Warnings for Fluvastatin

Severe muscle pain and damage
Liver problems
Higher blood sugar levels
Risk of harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding

Summary for Atorvastatin

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 for Atorvastatin

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 for Atorvastatin

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 for Atorvastatin

Common cold symptoms (8%)
Joint pain (7%)
Diarrhea (7%)
Pain in arms or legs (6%)
Urinary tract infection (UTI; 6%)
Indigestion (5%)

Warnings for Atorvastatin

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

Fluvastatin90 capsules / 20mg

$118.01$417.22

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Atorvastatin30 tablets / 40mg

$9.73$14.34

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Fluvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

Fluvastatin

Atorvastatin

Summary for Fluvastatin

Indications for Fluvastatin

Pros and Cons for Fluvastatin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Fluvastatin

Warnings for Fluvastatin

Summary for Atorvastatin

Indications for Atorvastatin

Pros and Cons for Atorvastatin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atorvastatin

Warnings for Atorvastatin

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Fluvastatin

Atorvastatin

Summary for Fluvastatin

Indications for Fluvastatin

Pros and Cons for Fluvastatin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Fluvastatin

Warnings for Fluvastatin

Summary for Atorvastatin

Indications for Atorvastatin

Pros and Cons for Atorvastatin

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Atorvastatin

Warnings for Atorvastatin