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.
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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.
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Generic or biosimilar versions
Both atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet are generic medications.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Atorvastatin is a copy of the brand-name drug Lipitor, while rosuvastatin is a copy of the brand-name drug Crestor.
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about brand-name versions for atorvastatin or rosuvastatin.
Uses of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
Here’s a summary of atorvastatin oral tablet’s and rosuvastatin oral tablet’s approved uses:
| atorvastatin oral tablet | rosuvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults • treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia* in adults • treat heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in adults and children ages 10 years and older • treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) in adults and children ages 10 years and older • lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it | • treat high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in adults • treat primary dysbetalipoproteinemia* in adults • treat HeFH in adults and children ages 8 years and older • treat HoFH in adults and children ages 7 years and older • lower the risk of certain heart problems, including heart attack, in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it • slow down atherosclerosis (narrowing in your arteries) in adults |
| Prescribed to | adults; for some uses, children of certain ages | adults; for some uses, children of certain ages |
* Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia is a rare inherited condition that causes high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin may be prescribed together with other treatments and diet and exercise for treating certain types of high cholesterol.
If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet is an option to consider.
Warnings for atorvastatin and rosuvastatin
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
| atorvastatin oral tablet | rosuvastatin oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| Asian descent* | ✓ | |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
* Some people of Asian descent may metabolize (break down) rosuvastatin oral tablets differently, so they may need a lower dose of the medication.
You can view more detailed articles about atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for atorvastatin oral tablet and rosuvastatin oral tablet.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether atorvastatin oral tablet or rosuvastatin oral tablet is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have any health factors that make atorvastatin or rosuvastatin a better fit for me?
- If I’m a good candidate for both drugs, are there reasons why one would be prescribed over the other?
- Would atorvastatin or rosuvastatin interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
- How long should it take before I feel a difference from atorvastatin or rosuvastatin?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.