Compare Zetia vs. Atorvastatin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers cholesterol.
Zetia (ezetimibe) can improve your cholesterol and can be used as an alternative to statins.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 128 reviewsforZetia
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 raises "good" cholesterol (HDL) in people who have trouble doing this through diet and exercise.
- Can be used with other medicines to improve cholesterol.
- Available in a combination pill with simvastatin.
- 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
- Doesn't lower triglycerides (fats).
- Hasn't been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks or heart disease.
- By itself, it isn't as effective as statins for improving cholesterol.
- 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
$23.88
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$319.65
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Reviews
128 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zetia (ezetimibe)?
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
12possible side effects
- Diarrhea4%
- Common cold4%
- Sore throat4%
- Sinus infection3%
- Joint pain3%
- Pain in arms and legs3%
- Muscle pain3%
- Abnormal liver tests3%
- Fatigue2%
- Flu2%
- Back pain2%
- Gallbladder removal2%
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
- Harm to fetus
- Muscle pain
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- Past history of liver disease
- Taking Zetia (ezetimibe) with statins
- Muscle pain
- Liver damage
- Heavy alcohol use
- Prior history of chronic liver disease
- Birth defects
- Pregnancy
- Stroke
- History of hemorrhagic strokes
- Increased blood sugars