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Compare Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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

Key takeaways

Rosuvastatin (Crestor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are statin medications. They both treat high cholesterol and can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. And they’re both considered high intensity statins, which are typically prescribed to people at the greatest risk of cholesterol-related heart problems. They’re both taken once a day and they’re both available as a lower-cost generic medication. One main difference is that rosuvastatin has a lower risk of drug interactions compared to atorvastatin.

Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Summary of Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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.

Summary for Statin
Prescription only

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a statin that lowers "bad" cholesterol, raises "good" cholesterol, lowers triglycerides (TG, also known as fats). In addition, it helps protect your heart and blood vessels. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is known as a moderate-to-high-intensity statin, meaning it lowers your cholesterol more so than many other statins. And as with all statins, atorvastatin (Lipitor) can cause rare, but serious side effects, such as liver problems or severe muscle pain. It's important that you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to get the most benefits from this medication.

Indications of Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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
Indications for
•Prevention of heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., heart attack or stroke) in high-risk adults (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of cholesterol problems)
•Treatment of high "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels in certain people

Pros and Cons of Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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
Pros and Const for Statin
Pros
•Can help lower the risk of heart attack, and stroke
•Can be used in children as young as 10 years old
•Long-acting, so can take it at anytime
•Available as a lower-cost generic
•Available as a liquid (Atorvaliq) for those having trouble swallowing the tablets
Cons
•Can't be used in pregnant or breastfeeding females
•Can't be used in people with liver problems
•Risk of side effects are higher in certain people, such as those age 65 years and older or those who drink alcohol daily
•Can cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle problem

Common Side Effects of Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

Common Side Effects for
•Muscle pain (8-13%)
•Joint pain (4-10%)
•Headache (6-9%)
•Nausea (2-6%)
•Constipation (up to 5%)
Common Side Effects for
•Runny nose or sore throat (8%)
•Joint pain (7%)
•Diarrhea (7%)
•Pain in arms and legs (6%)
•Pain while urinating, needing to urinate more often, and other symptoms of an urinary tract infection (UTI) (6%)

Warnings of Rosuvastatin vs. Atorvastatin

Common Side Effects for
•Severe muscle pain and damage
•Liver problems
•Higher blood sugar levels
•Possible harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Common Side Effects for
•Severe muscle pain and damage
•Worsening liver problems and liver failure
•High blood sugar
•Not for use in pregnant or breastfeeding females
•Possible strokes or brain bleeds

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