|
Guide Picks - Top Statins
|
 |
|
|
Actually, these are all the
statins, in alphabetical order. Five statins are currently on the market,
not including cerivastatin (Baycol,) that was removed from the market during the
summer of 2001. This listing will concentrate on the distinguishing
features of each statin drug. Click here for a more general overview of the
statin drugs, including clues on choosing which statin to use. The generic names
are listed first, followed by the trade names in parentheses. |
|
1)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Atorvastatin is the most potent statin for lowering LDL cholesterol
levels ("bad cholesterol,") and is the most commonly
prescribed statin drug. In contrast to lovastatin, pravastatin and
simvastatin, clinical trials demonstrating the ability of atorvastatin
to prevent heart attacks and early mortality have not been conducted.
|
|
2)
Cerivastatin (Baycol)
- now removed from market
Cerivastatin was an effective and relatively inexpensive statin. It was
removed from the market during the summer of 2001 because several patients died
from severe muscle disease caused by the drug. While other statins can
also cause muscle disease, the form of muscle disease caused by cerivastatin
appears to be much more severe.
|
|
3)
Fluvastatin (Lescol)
Fluvastatin is the least expensive statin drug.
|
|
4)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Lovastatin was the first statin to be approved for use by the
FDA. It is also the first statin whose patent will
expire. Thus, generic lovastatin should appear during 2002,
which should result in a significantly reduced price.
|
|
5)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
More evidence exists from clinical trials supporting pravastatin's ability to
prevent heart attacks and early mortality than for any other statin.
Pravastatin is also the statin least likely to cause interactions with other
drugs.
|
|
6)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Simvastatin is the second most potent statin drug for lowering LDL
cholesterol. In addition, it is more effective than other statins in
raising HDL cholesterol levels ("good" cholesterol.)
Simvatatin was used in the Heart
Protection Study - a study showing for the first time that statins
significantly reduce heart attack and stroke in high risk patients
regardless of cholesterol levels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
