Compare pravastatin vs. Atorvastatin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Pravachol (pravastatin) can improve cholesterol, but it's not as strong as other statin medicines. It does cause fewer side effects and is safer for your kidneys and liver.
●●●●●
3.5/ 5 average rating with 426 reviewsforpravastatin
Lowers cholesterol.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) improves your cholesterol levels and is a common first treatment for people with high cholesterol or heart disease.
●●●●●
3.8/ 5 average rating with 1377 reviewsforAtorvastatin
Upsides
- Compared to other statins, Pravachol (pravastatin) has fewer interactions with medicines.
- Pravachol (pravastatin) is less likely to cause muscle and kidney damage than other statin medicines.
- If you have liver problems, Pravachol (pravastatin) is the safest statin to use.
- It's available as a generic.
- 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
- Pravachol (pravastatin) isn't as strong as other statins in lowering your cholesterol.
- You'll still need to eat a low fat diet and exercise regularly to get the full benefit of Pravachol (pravastatin).
- 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).
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$176.42
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$304.82
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
426 reviews so far
54%
saidit'sworth it
44%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Pravachol (pravastatin)?
Leave a review1377 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
13%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lipitor (atorvastatin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
20possible side effects
- Muscle, joint or ligament/tendon pain10%
- Nausea, vomiting7%
- Diarrhea7%
- Headache6%
- Upper respiratory infection6%
- Chest pain5%
- Rash5%
- Dizziness4%
- Stuffy nose4%
- Muscle damage4%
- Flatulence3%
- Indigestion, heartburn3%
- Fatigue3%
- Cough3%
- Increased liver enzymes3%
- Abdominal swelling2%
- Influenza2%
- Muscle pain2%
- Sore throat2%
- Bile duct disease2%
12possible side effects
- Common cold8%
- Joint pain7%
- Diarrhea7%
- Pain in the arms and legs6%
- Urinary tract infection6%
- Indigestion5%
- Nausea4%
- Musculoskeletal pain4%
- Muscle Spasms4%
- Myalgia4%
- Insomnia3%
- Sore throat2%
Risks and risk factors
- Muscle damage
- Kidney disease
- An underactive thyroid
- Over age 65
- Female gender
- Taking other medicines to lower your cholesterol
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- History of chronic liver disease
- Harm to fetus
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Endocrine function
- Spironolactone use
- Cimetidine use
- Ketoconazole use
- Muscle pain
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- Prior history of chronic liver disease
- Birth defects
- Pregnancy
- Stroke
- History of hemorrhagic strokes
- Increased blood sugars