Which is best atorvastatin or simvastatin?
In one recent comparative study, atorvastatin was found to be more effective at lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) than simvastatin. This study compiled results from 50 randomized, clinical trials, and compared other statin drugs like fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and lovastatin.
When should I switch from simvastatin to atorvastatin?
The most common reason for switching to atorvastatin was inadequate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol control, although asymptomatic crea- tine kinase (CK) elevation and myalgias were also common. In most cases of myositis and in nearly all cases of rhabdomyolysis, pa- tients were taking 80 mg of simvastatin.
What is the most commonly prescribed statin in UK?
There are five types of statins in the UK. The first two are used most often: atorvastatin (Lipitor) simvastatin (Zocor)
Which statin is the best choice for which patient?
Statins lower cholesterol levels through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase. The synthetic and natural statins have essentially equivalent efficacy at improving the lipid profile. However, in patients who do not achieve their LDL goals, atorvastatin and simvastatin may be the best choices for initial therapy.
Which statin is safest for liver?
Although statins are generally well tolerated, reports about statin-induced liver injury can be found mainly for atorvastatin and simvastatin. However, this might be coincidental since these two statins are also the two most commonly prescribed ones (8).
Can atorvastatin replace simvastatin?
Dose for dose, atorvastatin is more potent than simvastatin at blocking the target enzyme, HMGCoA; this effect is overcome by using a higher dose of simvastatin. In controlled dosing studies, simvastatin 40 mg and atorvastatin 10 mg and 20 mg are equally effective.
What is safest statin?
Simvastatin and pravastatin had the best safety profile, according to this review. Overall, the researchers found a 9 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes in people taking statins.
Can atorvastatin damage your liver?
Statins may occasionally be associated with mild transaminase elevations but can also result in life-threatening liver injury. Atorvastatin is the most common cause of clinically significant liver injury in this drug class.
What are the dangers of atorvastatin?
Common Lipitor side effects are diarrhea, upset stomach, muscle and joint pain, and changes in some blood tests, according to Pfizer Inc. The drug label also warns of serious side effects such as liver problems and muscle problems that can lead to kidney failure.
What is the downside of atorvastatin?
While statins are highly effective and safe for most people, they have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems and mental fuzziness in some people who take them and may rarely cause liver damage.
What is the best cholesterol medication with the least side effects?
In the analysis of 135 previous studies, which included nearly 250,000 people combined, researchers found that the drugs simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol) had the fewest side effects in this class of medications. They also found that lower doses produced fewer side effects in general.
What are the long term side effects of atorvastatin?
What are statin side effects?
- Muscle pain and damage. One of the most common complaints of people taking statins is muscle pain.
- Liver damage. Occasionally, statin use could cause an increase in the level of enzymes that signal liver inflammation.
- Increased blood sugar or type 2 diabetes.
- Neurological side effects.