Key takeaways
Ezetimibe (Zetia) and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are both medications used to manage high cholesterol, but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) by reducing its absorption in the gut. It is often added to statin therapy or used as an alternative for those who cannot tolerate statins. Atorvastatin, on the other hand, is a statin that not only lowers LDL but also raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) and lowers triglycerides by blocking an enzyme in the liver responsible for making cholesterol. Atorvastatin is considered a first-choice medication for lowering cholesterol and can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, while ezetimibe has not been shown to lower these risks. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics and are taken once daily, but atorvastatin has a broader range of doses and can be used in children as young as 10 years old. Additionally, atorvastatin should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, whereas the safety of ezetimibe in these conditions is less clear. Both medications can cause muscle pain and liver problems, but these risks are more commonly associated with atorvastatin.
