Crestor and Lipitor - High Cholesterol Message Board

flowergirl2day · 03-27-2009, 09:09 PM

Has anyone here taken both of these drugs? I am being switched to Crestor and wonder how it compares to Lipitor, especially the side effects.

I have been taking CoQ10 with Lipitor for the last 2 1/2 years. I guess I no longer need to do that. What is your experience with this drug? I have just been informed about this and have not had a chance to look it up. Any advice would be much appreciated.

flowergirl

TopGeek · 03-28-2009, 05:49 AM

All statins and fenofibrates have similar side effects but people react differently to the formulas of each type. Doctors will therefore switch patients to another type if they suffer reactions.
Crestor is by far the most popular statin in Europe so that suggests that it suits more people than the others. Fenofibrates (like Tricor) are not so well established but it is claimed that they increase HDL as well as lowering LDL.
However, if your readings are only marginally outside the limits an even better choice is direct acting niacin which is very effective at both increasing HDL and lowering LDL and has less if any side effects. The usual response to niacin is temporary flushing, which rapidly reduces with use. Doctors recommend progressively increasing the dose of niacin to the point where the flushing is a nuisance and then slightly reducing the dose.
It's a matter of informed choice and it would be good for you to do an Internet search on 'Cholesterol reduction'.

flowergirl2day · 03-28-2009, 10:54 AM

Topgeek,

thank you for your reply. Both my LDL and HDL levels are well within the normal range, LDL 2.89 (2.20 - 3.40), HDL 1.24 (0.90 - 2.40) mmol/L, but considered too high for someone with my CV risk factors. The sole reason for the switch is my C-reactive protein level, which has been extremely high for quite some time. Crestor -rosuvastatin- has been shown in recent clinical trial to reduce the C-reactive protein level and thus inflammation. Because it is a statin, I'll continue taking my CoQ10 in hopes of preventing permanent muscle damage. I think my use of CoQ10 is the reason I've avoided developing significant adverse effects of Lipitor, with only minor muscle & calf pain.

The fact that this drug is so widely used in Europe speaks for itself.

I don't doubt its effectiveness at this point and hope that I'll be able to tolerate it without a problem. Thanks for the information!

flowergirl2day · 04-01-2009, 03:47 PM

When picking up my new prescription drug today I asked the pharmacist what she thought of this change in my medication. She said without hesitation that switching from Lipitor to Crestor would be good for me, because Crestor is superior to Lipitor.

I have read the Jupiter study with its amazing results, which showed that rosuvastatin is highly effective at reducing both LDL and C-reactive protein levels - by 50% and 37% respectively. I think it is possible that future studies will show the other drugs in this class to be equally effective.

ACE28 · 04-09-2009, 08:02 AM

Hi flowergirl....

CRESTOR is known as the Gorilla statin. It is the most effective in lowering LDL cholesterol. 5 mg of CRESTOR is equal to 40 mg of pravastatin and 20 mg of ZOCOR. I would not exceed 10 mg.. This pill was shown during pre- approval to cause hematuria and other kidney related problems at higher doses. Many warnings were issued for this drug after approval. This drug should not exceed a dosage of 40 mg a day. LIPITOR can be safely administered in dosages of 80 mg day. As far as CRP is concerned all statins lower CRP. In the Jupiter study their was a decrease in heart related issues but an increase in diabetes. As far as CRP is concerned, Natural Vitamin E at 1200 mg a day can lower CRP by more than 50 %. The HBP drugs DIOVAN BENICAR and BYSTOLIC are known for targeting inflammation and thus lower CRP. I'm still taking BYSTOLIC and my last CRP test was 0.16.