Compare Zetia vs. Crestor
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.
●●●●●
3.3/ 5 average rating with 128 reviewsforZetia
Lowers cholesterol.
Crestor (rosuvastatin) is one of the most effective statins to improve cholesterol. It's also available as a generic.
●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 751 reviewsforCrestor
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
Used for
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Heart protection
- Atherosclerosis
- Hereditary hypercholesterolemia
- Post-heart attack treatment
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$12.22
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$9.24
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
128 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
34%
saiditworked well
21%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zetia (ezetimibe)?
Leave a review751 reviews so far
60%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Crestor (rosuvastatin)?
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%
The Crestor (rosuvastatin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
- 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