Cholesterol lowering Generic Statins and Brand Name Statins
It is very common to see people with high cholesterol levels due to the modern lifestyle and fatty foods we consume. Most of the time high cholesterol levels could be lowered by a strict diet and physical exercises such as jogging. When the cholesterol levels are too high and they need to be lowered fast doctors opt for medication such as Statins. It is the most-prescribed and effective medications against high levels of cholesterol. Statins contains a chemical that prevents cholesterol production by the body and also prevents absorption of cholesterol from the food we consume, which in return reduces blood cholesterol levels and limits cholesterol buildup in the arteries.
There are two types of Statins available in the market.
- Generic Statins
- Brand-Name Statins
Differences in type of Statins
Both types of Statins work basically the same way, but some may have advantages such as low price (Fluvastatin, least expensive generic statins). Pravastatin is thought to be one of the most effective generic statins for lowering cholesterol. According to a study published in the Lancet, simvastatin is a particularly cost-effective choice for generic statin medications when it comes to lowering cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Generic Statins
- What is ‘Generic Statins‘ or any ‘Generic drug‘?
when a pharmaceutical company invents a medicine/drug, that company is given 20-year patent rights to that finding. Whereby no other company can manufacture it for the entire duration of the rights. once the patent period is expired, other companies are free to produce the same drug and create generic versions. These Generic drugs are regulated by the FDA and are required to meet the same guidelines as the original medicine.
There are three generic statin drugs available: Lovastatin is sold under the brand name Mevacor; simvastatin is carried under the brand name Zocor; and pravastatin, brand name Pravachol.
- Mevacor® (lovastatin)
- Pravachol® (pravastatin)
- Zocor® (simvastatin).
Brand-Name Statins
A number of popular statin drugs were not available in 2009 in generic form, including Lipitor (atorvastatin); Caduet (amlodipine and atorvastatin); Vytorin (ezetimible and simvastatin); Simcor (extended-release niacin and simvastatin); Advicor (niacin extended release and lovastatin); Altoprev (lovastatin extended-release); and Lescol and Lescol XL (fluvastatin and the extended-release version).
Here below are all the statins, in alphabetical order. Five statins are currently on the market.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fluvastatin (Lescol)
Fluvastatin is the least expensive statin drug.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Side Effects of using Statins
Many statin drugs are not safe to take during pregnancy, so women should consult with their doctors if they are pregnant or trying to become pregnant before taking a statin. Statins are generally considered safe medications, and side effects are minor. Some people may notice difficulty sleeping, constipation, heartburn, gas and nausea, and blurry vision. More serious side effects include damage to the kidneys and liver, as well as pain and weakness in the muscles.