Lipitor vs. Altoprev

• Are Lipitor and Altoprev the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lipitor?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Altoprev?
• What is Lipitor?
• What is Altoprev?
• What Drugs Interact with Lipitor?
• What Drugs Interact with Altoprev?
• How Should Lipitor Be Taken?
• How Should Altoprev Be Taken?

Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Altoprev (lovastatin) are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ("statins") used to treat elevated total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and to elevate HDL cholesterol.

Side effects of Lipitor and Altoprev that are similar include constipation, nausea, heartburn/indigestion, headache, and mild muscle pain.

Side effects of Lipitor that are different from Altoprev include diarrhea, fatigue, or gas.

Side effects of Altoprev that are different from Lipitor include mild memory problems, confusion, joint pain, back pain, stomach pain, or sleep problems (insomnia).

Both Lipitor and Altoprev may interact with alcohol or other cholesterol-lowering medications.

Common side effects of Lipitor include:

• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• fatigue,
• gas,
• heartburn,
• headache, and
• mild muscle pain.

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Lipitor including:

• muscle wasting and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis),
• confusion or memory problems,
• fever,
• dark urine,
• increased thirst or hunger,
• drowsiness,
• loss of appetite, or
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).

Common side effects of Altoprev include:

• mild memory problems
• confusion
• muscle pain or other problems
• headache
• joint pain
• back pain
• nausea
• stomach pain
• indigestion
• constipation, or
• sleep problems (insomnia)

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a statin used for the treatment of elevated total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and to elevate HDL cholesterol.

Altoprev (lovastatin) Extended-Release is a cholesterol-lowering drug ("statin") used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, or other risk factors.

Erythromycin (E-Mycin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), cyclosporine (Sandimmune), indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir) decrease elimination of Lipitor. Lipitor increases the effect of warfarin (Coumadin) and cholestyramine (Questran) decreases the absorption of Lipitor. Lipitor should not be taken during pregnancy because the developing fetus requires cholesterol for development, and Lipitor reduces the production of cholesterol. Lipitor passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while taking Lipitor is not recommended.

Altoprev may interact with cimetidine, blood thinners, spironolactone, or other "statin" medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Altoprev must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor to discuss using at least 2 forms of birth control while taking Altoprev. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dose of Lipitor is 10-80 mg daily.

The recommended dosing range for Altoprev is 20-60 mg/day, in single doses taken in the evening at bedtime.