Atorvastatin vs Rosuvastatin - what are the differences?

[michellefisherm]

Hi,

Can anybody share the differences between Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin. Most health professionals say that they are similar but there must be some differences based on research, etc. Please share.

Thank you

[Blearyeyed]

The reason my husband, a Type 1 Diabetic, was put on Crestor ( Rosuvastatin ) as his " first line " statin was because of a research study which showed that Crestor lowered LDL more efficiently than Avorstatin. This study was based on the same 10 mg dose over a 4 week period.

There was another study comparing the two which concluded that you could get similar rates of cholesterol reduction on a lower dose of Crestor in comparison to a 10 mg dose of Avorstatin.

Which is helpful for people whom find it hard to tolerate statin side effects.

I was initially put on Avorstatin first , but because I already had a digestive and chronic pain health issue this statin did make my stomach symptoms worse ( especially constipation and bloating).

Although both can cause stomach pain or muscle pain I found these side effects were not as bad on Rosuvastatin and as I need to take it , it certainly became the best option for me.

Another reason the Diabetes community often like , or receive , Crestor is that it is less likely to be a contributing factor to getting a UTI, can cause less gas, stomach acid and chills.

But everyone has different needs so what works well for one person may not for another based on your individual health needs.

If you find that the side effects you are getting aren't improving on a statin ( or getting worse) after 6-8 weeks it definitely worth requesting to try other options as well.

In the UK we are often given Avorstatin as the " first line" , or most common first choice, because it is marginally cheaper to provide. But we can ask to use the other statin options , especially if we feel the side effects would be easier.

There is also a list of other statins and the statin alternative for those that can't tolerate statins on the BHF website if you want to look at more information.

Basically, it's worth doing your research like you are with this post , choosing what you want and discussing the change with your GP once you've made your decision.

Take care , Bee

[Captain_Birdseye]

They are both statin class drugs with a similar mode of action.

Their main difference is in their chemical structures... atorvastatin is already in it's active form, do it doesn't need to be modified/activated in the body.

Rosuvastatin is more hydrophilic so more is taken in directly by the liver, leading to lower bioavailability compared to other statins and potentially fewer drug interactions. It is also considered to be one of the more potent statins, although it is equally effective compared to other statins.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Thanks for that info, Really interesting especially the reason why I might also do better with Crestor as I am on a lot of other medications, Bee

[Hidden]

I tried many statins, Crestor was only which doesn't give stomach issues and very effectively lowers cholesterol much better than atrovastatin even at relatively lower dosages.

I take 5 mg alternative days and it reduced total cholesterol to 140 from 200 ( LDL 92) in 3 months.

[bobbydazzler]

Not had atorvastatin, I had Simvastatin with unpleasant pains in all joints, now on rosuvastatin and no problemsI think it has to do with the carrier the manufacturers use or maybe statin comes in different forms? But a change can help if one is not agreeing! Good luck

[Catmum23]

I was on Atorvastatin for years. My cholesterol was stuck at 6 Dr at the time not bothered as I had no other risk factors. He retired and new Dr wasn't happy and doubled dose from 40mg to 80mg and it was still 6. I was changed to 20mg rosuvastatin and 10mg ezetimibe and cholesterol finally went down.

[benjijen]

Was eventually taken off 40mg atorvastatin and put on 5mg rosuvastatin. Muscle pain went and cholesterol at last is down.