Compare Crestor vs. Niaspan
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Crestor (rosuvastatin) is one of the most effective statins to improve cholesterol. It's also available as a generic.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 751 reviewsforCrestor
Lowers cholesterol.
Niaspan (Niacin) lowers triglycerides, but isn't as good as statins for improving cholesterol levels.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 380 reviewsforNiaspan
Upsides
- It's a good first choice medicine for lowering cholesterol levels when diet and exercise aren't enough.
- Slows down the buildup of fatty deposits in your blood vessels, otherwise known as a hardening of the arteries.
- In clinical studies, Crestor (rosuvastatin) has the strongest effect on lowering "bad" cholesterol compared to other statins.
- Can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of smoking.
- Available as a generic drug.
- Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Good for lowering triglycerides (fats).
Downsides
- You're more likely to have side effects if you're a female, are 65 years or older, drink alcohol every day, or take more than one medicine for cholesterol.
- People with liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes are also more likely to have side effects from Crestor (rosuvastatin).
- Crestor (rosuvastatin) isn't safe to use if you're pregnant since it can hurt the fetus.
- By itself, Niaspan (Niacin) isn't as effective as statins for improving cholesterol levels.
- It can cause flushing and stomach pain or discomfort.
- You need to take it before bedtime with a low-fat snack.
- If you miss doses often, you may need to re-start taking the medicine more regularly at a lower dose.
Used for
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Heart protection
- Atherosclerosis
- Hereditary hypercholesterolemia
- Post-heart attack treatment
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides (fats)
- Prevention of repeat heart attacks in people with high cholesterol
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$10.40
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$24.92
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Reviews
751 reviews so far
60%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Crestor (rosuvastatin)?
Leave a review380 reviews so far
43%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Niaspan (Niacin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Crestor (rosuvastatin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
6possible side effects
- Flushing68%
- Itching8%
- Diarrhea7%
- Nausea5%
- Rash5%
- Cough increased3%
Risks and risk factors
- Elevated INR
- Taking Coumadin (warfarin)
- Muscle pain
- Age 65 or older
- Taking higher doses of Crestor (rosuvastatin)
- Increased blood sugars
- Diabetes
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- Prior history of chronic liver disease
- Birth defects
- Pregnancy
- Muscle pain
- Taking Niaspan (Niacin) with statins
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- Past history of liver disease
- High blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Low platelets
- Taking Niaspan (Niacin) with anticoagulants
- Gout
- Gout