Difference Between Zocor and Lipitor

Zocor vs Lipitor

Hyperlipidemia or elevated bad cholesterol is so common around the globe especially for those who are obese and have a sedentary lifestyle. This is caused by a high-fat diet such as those foods being purchased in instant packages as well as fast food chains. These types of foods will definitely kill you in the future if it accumulates in your body.

Too much circulating cholesterol in the body may bring us atherosclerosis or hardening and blockage of the arteries by the fats or cholesterol. This may predispose us to heart diseases such as hypertension and may bring us a heart attack or stroke in the long run. Does it sound dangerous? Yes, it is.

In the advent of technology, drugs have become so powerful that pharmaceutical companies are investing millions or billions of dollars in developing drugs. Cholesterol lowering medications are very common nowadays that help people around the globe reduce their cholesterol. Lipitor and Zocor are the most popular in the market.

The generic name of Lipitor is Atorvastatin calcium while the generic name of Zocor is Simvastatin. Atorvastatin was first made during 1985 by Bruce Roth and since then it has been manufactured by Pfizer. This is the topmost selling drug in 2008 world-wide. Zocor, on the other hand, is the cheap version of Lipitor which is produced by Merck & Co.

The main function of both drugs is to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and raise HDL or good cholesterol. They also aim to lower the triglycerides in the body. Regarding the price of both drugs, Zocor is cheaper than Lipitor. A tablet of Lipitor may cost up to $2 USD per day while Zocor costs $.35 cents.

Regarding results and effectiveness, both drugs are able to perform their function, but studies provided say that Lipitor is still better in lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks that are not fatal than Zocor.

Common side effects of these drugs include: stomach upset, heartburn, constipation, headache, and a lot more. In taking these drugs, make sure not to drink any alcohol because these drugs are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. So it’s important to drink lots of water to eliminate them from the body.

Summary:

1. The generic name of Lipitor is Atorvastatin calcium while the generic name of Zocor is Simvastatin.
2. Lipitor was manufactured first before Zocor.
3. Lipitor is said to be more effective than Zocor.
4. Zocor is cheaper than Lipitor.
5. Both drugs’ function is to lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and raise the good cholesterol.

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