Compare simvastatin vs. Antara
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Zocor (simvastatin) is a good medication to improve your cholesterol.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 1176 reviewsforsimvastatin
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides.
Antara (fenofibrate) is effective at lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels, but may cause liver problems and muscle pain.
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2.5/ 5 average rating with 56 reviewsforAntara
Upsides
- 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.
- Available in generic.
- Available in combination pills with other cholesterol medicines.
- Antara (fenofibrate) can reduce triglycerides by about 20-50%.
- Although not as effective at lowering triglycerides, Antara (fenofibrate) can lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL).
- There is a less expensive generic version available.
- You only need to take it once a day, with or without food.
Downsides
- You are at higher risk for side effects if you are female, are 65 years or older, drink alcohol every day, or have liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.
- Not safe to use if you're pregnant.
- Can have more drug interactions than some other drugs in the same class (statins).
- Not as effective as statins in lowering cholesterol levels. You shouldn't take Antara (fenofibrate) by itself to lower cholesterol.
- Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly while taking Antara (fenofibrate) can increase your risk of liver damage.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of gallbladder, liver or kidney disease. Antara (fenofibrate) might not be the best choice to lower your triglyceride levels.
- Antara (fenofibrate) can interact with other medications such as warfarin, colchicine, and sulfonylureas.
- Antara (fenofibrate) was not shown to reduce rates of death in people with type 2 diabetes.
Used for
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Heart attack and stroke prevention
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$243.13
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$10.28
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Reviews
1176 reviews so far
61%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
14%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zocor (simvastatin)?
Leave a review56 reviews so far
27%
saidit'sworth it
14%
saiditworked well
29%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Antara (fenofibrate)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
14possible side effects
- Bronchitis7%
- Abdominal pain6%
- Atrial fibrillation6%
- Stomach problems5%
- Balance problems5%
- Eczema5%
- Diabetes4%
- Muscle pain4%
- Insomnia4%
- Edema/swelling3%
- Headache3%
- Infection, urinary tract3%
- Constipation2%
- Sinus infection2%
11possible side effects
- Abnormal liver function tests8%
- Respiratory disorder6%
- Stomach pain5%
- Back pain3%
- Headache3%
- Increased AST3%
- Increased ALT3%
- Increased creatine phosphokinase3%
- Nausea2%
- Constipation2%
- Hay fever2%
Risks and risk factors
- Muscle pain and kidney damage
- Kidney disease
- High dose of Zocor (simvastatin)
- Combining Zocor (simvastatin) with other cholesterol-lowering drugs
- Older age
- Female gender
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- History of chronic liver disease
- Harm to unborn baby
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Drug interactions
- Certain drugs can increase the dose of Zocor (simvastatin) in the body
- High blood sugar
- History of high blood sugar
- Muscle pain
- Taking Antara (fenofibrate) with statins
- Elderly patients
- Patients with diabetes
- Patients with a history of renal failure.
- Liver damage
- History of liver disease
- Gallstones
- History of gallstones
- Increased bleeding risk
- Taking Antara (fenofibrate) with anticoagulants
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Changes in blood tests