Compare Lipitor vs. Zetia

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Ezetimibe (Zetia) are both medications used to manage high cholesterol, but they work in different ways. Atorvastatin, a statin, lowers cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in your liver that makes cholesterol, while Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from your gut. Atorvastatin is often a first-choice medication and can lower cholesterol levels by more than 50%, whereas Ezetimibe is usually added to statins or used as an alternative if statins aren't suitable, lowering cholesterol by about 13-20%. Atorvastatin can cause serious side effects like liver problems and severe muscle pain, while Ezetimibe generally has fewer side effects but can still cause muscle pain, especially when taken with a statin. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics, but neither is recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Additionally, Atorvastatin has been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a benefit that Ezetimibe has not demonstrated.