Lipitor vs Zocor vs etc

My prescription insurance limits me to a set amount per year. I'm already taking Plavix (stent) which is like $350 for a 90 day supply and need to continue. I've been taking Lipitor, also very expensive,although my cardiologist has said we could try Zocor (which has a generic equivalent) for a lot less money.

Has anyone noticed different side effects between Lipitor and Zocor? Any other relevant info?

3 Comments

Lipitor vs Zocor

by SMITTY - 2009-04-04 10:04:24

I took Lipitor for years and for reasons I'll not go into right now, I was put on Vytorin which is a combination of Zorcor and Zetia. My cholesterol numbers never changed. And the Zorcor gets all the credit as Zetia has been proven to not be of much help in controlling cholesterol. The patent has expired on Zorcor and by combining it with something else they have a new medicine they can sell at the same ridiculous price as they did when Zocor was covered by a patent.

But you didn't ask for all that I know. My opinion is that one statin is about as good as the next one and none of them are worth a dang unless you eat "heart healthy."

Smitty

Zocor (Simvastatin)

by DonSoule - 2009-04-05 10:04:10

I switched from Lipitor to Simvastatin (generic for Zocor) and it worked fine for me. I asked my Dr to change it due to the cost and he didn't have a problem doing it. It worked just as well for me - you do need twice the dose for the same effect.

I didn't notice any side effects with either Lipitor or Simvastatin. I know others who have complained about side effects but I haven't had any that I'm aware of.

I take lipitor

by BillMFl - 2009-04-06 12:04:02

I would switch to the cheaper Zocor, but my main problem was very high triglycerides (runs in my family) and lipitor works good for both. No side effects and my total cholestral recently was 135, and tri's 150. And I only take the minimum dose of 10mg.

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