Compare Lovastatin vs. Atorvastatin

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

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Mevacor (Lovastatin)

Prescription only

Lipitor (atorvastatin)

Prescription only
Lowers cholesterol.

Mevacor (Lovastatin) can improve cholesterol, but it's not as strong as other statin medicines. Statin side effects can be difficult to deal with, but the benefits might outweigh the risks.

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3.4/ 5 average rating with 89 reviewsforLovastatin
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
Upsides
  • Lowers "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (fats) and raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
  • Can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a history of smoking.
  • 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.
Downsides
  • Not the best choice for people who have very high cholesterol levels.
  • Statins can cause digestive problems, blood sugar problems, muscle aches and stiffness, muscle injury, kidney damage, and liver damage. Some people have to stop taking this medicine because of these problems.
  • You're at higher risk for these side effects if you are female, are 65 years or older, drink alcohol every day, take more than one medicine for cholesterol, or have liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
  • Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
  • 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).
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$4.00
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Lowest price
$9.00
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Reviews
89 reviews so far
43%
saidit'sworth it
39%
saiditworked well
22%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Mevacor (Lovastatin)?

Leave a review
1377 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
13%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Lipitor (atorvastatin)?

Leave a review
Side effects
2possible side effects
  • Elevations of CK levels
    11%
  • Increase in serum transaminases
    2%
See more detailed side effects
12possible side effects
  • Common cold
    8%
  • Joint pain
    7%
  • Diarrhea
    7%
  • Pain in the arms and legs
    6%
  • Urinary tract infection
    6%
  • Indigestion
    5%
  • Nausea
    4%
  • Musculoskeletal pain
    4%
  • Muscle Spasms
    4%
  • Myalgia
    4%
  • Insomnia
    3%
  • Sore throat
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Muscle pain
    • Kidney disease
    • High dose of Mevacor (Lovastatin)
    • Combining with certain cholesterol-lowering drugs
    • Older age and female gender
  • Liver damage
    • Heavy alcohol use
    • History of chronic liver disease
  • Harm to fetus
    • Pregnancy
    • Breast feeding
  • Drug interactions
    • Taking with certain drugs that increase the dose of Mevacor (Lovastatin) in the body
  • Muscle weakness (autoimmune)
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Muscle pain
  • Liver damage
    • Heavy alcohol use
    • Prior history of chronic liver disease
  • Birth defects
    • Pregnancy
  • Stroke
    • History of hemorrhagic strokes
  • Increased blood sugars
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Mevacor (Lovastatin)
Learn more about Lipitor (atorvastatin)