This article explains how atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet if you’d like more information about these drugs.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
Questions about atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet.
Between atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet, is one a better treatment for lowering cholesterol?
Doctors may prescribe either atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet to treat high cholesterol and lower certain risks.* In studies, atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet were both effective for these purposes.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they:
- Have different drug interactions: For example, atorvastatin has an interaction with the drug digoxin, while rosuvastatin does not. The drugs also share similar interactions.
- Have different side effects: For instance, diarrhea was a commonly reported side effect of atorvastatin in studies. But diarrhea wasn’t reported in studies of rosuvastatin. Likewise, constipation was a commonly reported side effect of rosuvastatin, but it wasn’t reported in studies of atorvastatin.
Keep in mind that your results from taking atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
* For more information about these uses, see the “Uses of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin” section below.
Can atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet be used for diabetes?
No, neither atorvastatin nor rosuvastatin are used to treat diabetes. However, both drugs are often prescribed to lower certain risks in people with type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. This risk increases further if you have high cholesterol. Statin drugs, including atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, are commonly prescribed to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the possible benefits of taking a statin if you have type 2 diabetes.
How does atorvastatin or rosuvastatin compare with simvastatin?
Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin have many similarities. They’re statin drugs prescribed to treat high cholesterol and lower certain risks. They share many side effects, including muscle pain. And each medication comes as an oral tablet.
Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin have many similar drug interactions. But they have a few different interactions, too. This may affect which statin your doctor prescribes you.
Also, studies have shown that high dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin may lower cholesterol more than high dose simvastatin. Depending on your health and treatment plan, this could affect which statin is best for you.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how different statins compare.
Side effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
Atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet. You can also check out these articles about atorvastatin oral tablet side effects and rosuvastatin oral tablet side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet:
atorvastatin oral tablet | rosuvastatin oral tablet | |
mild muscle or joint pain | ✓ | ✓ |
diarrhea | ✓ | |
constipation | ✓ | |
nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet:
atorvastatin oral tablet | rosuvastatin oral tablet | |
---|---|---|
severe muscle problems, including rhabdomyolysis and certain types of myopathy | ✓ | ✓ |
liver problems, including liver failure | ✓ | ✓ |
increased blood sugar, which could cause or worsen diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Dosage of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet are prescribed to treat or help prevent. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet treat or help prevent, see these articles about atorvastatin oral tablet dosage and rosuvastatin oral tablet dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Atorvastatin’s dosage
Below is a summary of atorvastatin oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
to improve cholesterol levels caused by certain types of high cholesterol in adults | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
to lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
to improve cholesterol levels in children ages 10 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) | oral tablet | 10–20 mg | once per day |
to improve cholesterol levels in children ages 10 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) | oral tablet | 10–80 mg | once per day |
Rosuvastatin’s dosage
Below is a summary of rosuvastatin oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in mg.
Purpose | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
to improve cholesterol levels caused by certain types of high cholesterol in adults | oral tablet | 5–40 mg | once per day |
to lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it | oral tablet | 5–40 mg | once per day |
to improve cholesterol levels in children ages 8 or 9 years old with HeFH | oral tablet | 5–10 mg | once per day |
to improve cholesterol levels in children ages 10 years and older with HeFH | oral tablet | 5–20 mg | once per day |
to improve cholesterol levels in children ages 7 years and older with HoFH | oral tablet | 20 mg | once per day |
Cost of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for atorvastatin oral tablet and this coupon page for rosuvastatin oral tablet. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.