Compare Atorvastatin vs. Lopid

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

Prescription only

Prescription only

Lowers cholesterol.

Lipitor (atorvastatin) improves your cholesterol levels and is a common first treatment for people with high cholesterol or heart disease.

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3.8/ 5 average rating with 1377 reviewsforAtorvastatin

Lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Lopid (gemfibrozil) works well to lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol, but it may not be the best option if you're also on a statin drug.

Upsides

Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats), and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of smoking.
It's one of the strongest cholesterol-lowering statin medications.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a good option for people who have high cholesterol and diabetes.
It's available as a generic drug and can be used in combination with other cholesterol lowering drugs.

Lopid (gemfibrozil) is available as a generic.
It can significantly lower your triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL), and raise your good cholesterol (HDL).
More effective and causes fewer side effects than non-statin cholesterol-lowering medicines.

Downsides

Statins such as Lipitor (atorvastatin) can cause digestive problems, blood sugar problems, muscle aches and stiffness, muscle injury, kidney damage, or liver damage. Some people need to stop taking this medicine if these problems occur.
You're at higher risk for these side effects if you are a female, are 65 years or older, or drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day, take more than one medicine for cholesterol, or have liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can raise your risk of liver damage while taking Lipitor (atorvastatin).

Since so many people use statin medications to treat their cholesterol, Lopid (gemfibrozil) isn't generally the first choice treatment to use since it can interact with statins.
Can be more expensive than some alternative medicines.
Need to take Lopid (gemfibrozil) twice a day, whereas other similar medications are only once a day.

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