Key takeaways
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and Simvastatin (Zocor) are both statins used to lower cholesterol and protect your heart and blood vessels, but they have some differences. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is considered a moderate-to-high intensity statin, while Simvastatin (Zocor) is a low-to-moderate intensity statin. This means atorvastatin can lower your cholesterol more than simvastatin at certain doses. Atorvastatin can be taken at any time of the day, but simvastatin is best taken at night because simvastatin is short-acting and your body makes more cholesterol then. Both medications can cause muscle pain, but simvastatin has a higher risk of causing severe muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis. Atorvastatin is available as a liquid (Atorvaliq) for those who have trouble swallowing tablets, and simvastatin is available as an oral solution (Flolipid). Neither medication should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
