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Compare Repatha vs. Crestor

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

Key takeaways

Repatha (evolocumab) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are both medications used to treat high cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, they belong to different medication classes. Repatha is a PCSK9 inhibitor, which works by helping your body remove extra cholesterol from your blood, while Crestor is a statin that blocks the enzyme in your liver that makes cholesterol. Repatha is given as an injection every two weeks or once a month, whereas Crestor is taken as an oral tablet once a day. Repatha is only available as a brand-name medication, while Crestor is available in a lower-cost generic form. Common side effects of Repatha include cold- or flu-like symptoms and injection site reactions, while Crestor can cause muscle or joint pain and headaches. Crestor has many drug interactions and is not recommended during pregnancy.

  • Repatha (evolocumab)
    Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
  • Repatha (evolocumab)
    Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

  • Summary of Repatha vs. Crestor

    Summary for PCSK9 inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Repatha (evolocumab) is a PCSK9 inhibitor that's used to treat high cholesterol in adults and certain children. It also helps lower the risk of heart attack and stroke for adults with heart disease. Repatha (evolocumab) is typically used when you're having trouble managing cholesterol levels with a heart-healthy diet or with other cholesterol medications (like statins). Repatha (evolocumab) is an injection under the skin that's given either once every 2 weeks or once every month. Repatha (evolocumab) side effects can include discomfort near the injection site and cold- or flu-like symptoms.

    Summary for Statin
    Prescription only

    Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is a statin. It's used to treat high cholesterol levels in adults and children. It can also help lower the risk heart attack or stroke in people who are at risk for heart-related problems. Rosuvastatin (Crestor) comes as both generic and brand name tablets that are taken by mouth, typically once daily. Brand name Ezallor Sprinkle (rosuvastatin) is an option for people who've trouble swallowing pills. Common side effects of rosuvastatin (Crestor) include muscle pain, joint pain, and headache.

  • Indications of Repatha vs. Crestor

    Indications for
    •High cholesterol in adults
    •Inherited condition causing extremely high cholesterol (heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia) in people aged 10 years and older
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the need for heart procedures (like stent placement) in adults with known heart disease
    Indications for
    •Lower the risk of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack, stroke) in people at risk for heart disease
    •Lower "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain people

  • Pros and Cons of Repatha vs. Crestor

    Pros and Const for PCSK9 inhibitor
    Pros
    •Only taken either every 2 weeks or once every month
    •Can help lower your cholesterol levels if other medications haven't worked well enough
    •Can use for children as young as 10 years old with familial hypercholesterolemia
    •Available in multiple forms (prefilled syringe, prefilled autoinjector, or single-use on-body infusor)
    Cons
    •Only available as an injection
    •Long-term side effects aren't fully known (compared to statins)
    •No lower-cost generic available (brand-name medication only)
    Pros and Const for Statin
    Pros
    •First-choice cholesterol medication that lowers your risk of heart attack and stroke
    •Can be taken by children as young as 7 years old
    •Sprinkle capsule (Ezallor Sprinkle) can be opened and contents sprinkled over soft food
    •Available as a lower cost, generic form
    Cons
    •Not safe to take for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
    •Might lead to liver problems
    •Can cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle problem
    •Might raise blood sugar levels, especially in people who have pre-diabetes

  • Common Side Effects of Repatha vs. Crestor

    Common Side Effects for
    •Common cold symptoms (11%)
    •Flu-like symptoms (8%)
    •Back pain (6%)
    •Redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site (6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Muscle pain (8-13%)
    •Joint pain (4-10%)
    •Headache (6-9%)
    •Nausea (2-6%)
    •Constipation (up to 5%)

  • Warnings of Repatha vs. Crestor

    Common Side Effects for
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe muscle pain and damage
    •Liver problems
    •Higher blood sugar levels
    •Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding

  • Prices with our coupons for Repatha vs. Crestor

    Learn more about Repatha
    Learn more about Rosuvastatin

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