Lipitor vs. Zocor

See how Lipitor and Zocor compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Lipitor and Zocor are both statins that lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but they differ in which patients they are approved to treat and in price.

  • Lipitor is approved for primary prevention of heart attack and stroke in adults with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, while Zocor's risk-reduction use is limited to those with existing heart disease or diabetes.

  • Zocor's highest 80 mg dose carries extra restrictions due to muscle injury risk, while Lipitor has no boxed warning and no similar dose-duration requirement.

Lipitor vs. Zocor Drug Summary

Lipitor

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin, used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and to reduce cardiovascular risk. It is taken as an oral tablet once daily, with doses ranging from 10 mg to 80 mg depending on how much LDL lowering is needed.

Zocor

Zocor (simvastatin) is also an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor used to lower LDL cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk in certain high-risk patients. It is taken as an oral tablet once daily, with doses from 10 mg to 80 mg, though the highest dose has added restrictions.

Lipitor vs. Zocor Side Effects

Lipitor

Most common
nasopharyngitis (up to 8.3%)
arthralgia (up to 6.9%)
diarrhea (up to 6.8%)
pain in extremity (up to 6.0%)

Zocor

Most common
upper respiratory infection (up to 9%)
headache (up to 7%)
abdominal pain (up to 7%)
constipation (up to 7%)

Lipitor vs. Zocor Dosage

Lipitor

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 10 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 80 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Zocor

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 10 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 80 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Lipitor vs. Zocor Indications

Lipitor

Lipitor is FDA-approved for lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in adults and children 10 and older with dyslipidemia. It also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and certain heart surgeries in adults with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, and it treats both heterozygous and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

  • Lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in adults and children 10+

  • Reducing heart attack, stroke, and heart surgery risk with multiple CV risk factors

  • Reducing heart attack and stroke risk in adults with type 2 diabetes

  • Treating heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in adolescents

Zocor

Zocor is FDA-approved for lowering LDL cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia and for treating familial hypercholesterolemia in appropriate patients. It also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in adults with existing heart disease or diabetes who are at high cardiovascular risk.

  • Lowering LDL cholesterol in adults with primary hyperlipidemia

  • Treating heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in adults and children 10+

  • Adjunct therapy for homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

  • Reducing heart attack, stroke, and death risk in high-risk heart disease or diabetes

Lipitor vs. Zocor Pros and Cons

Lipitor

Lipitor is a widely prescribed statin with FDA approval for primary prevention of heart attack and stroke, not just for people who already have heart disease. It carries no boxed warning and does not require a tolerance period before reaching its highest dose, though its list price runs higher than generic simvastatin.

Pros

  • No boxed warning, unlike some other lipid-lowering therapies

  • Approved for primary prevention in adults with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, even without diagnosed heart disease

  • No 12-month tolerance requirement before reaching the highest 80 mg dose

Cons

  • Costs roughly $450 to $530 per month without insurance, notably more than simvastatin

  • Not approved for Fredrickson Type I or Type V dyslipidemias

  • Trial data show arthralgia (up to 6.9%) and diarrhea (up to 6.8%) as common side effects

Zocor

Zocor was one of the first statins on the market and has decades of clinical experience behind it. Its highest 80 mg dose carries added restrictions due to muscle injury risk, and it interacts with a narrower range of medications because of CYP3A4 contraindications, but it remains one of the most affordable statin options available.

Pros

  • Roughly $75 to $100 per month without insurance, much less than Lipitor's $450 to $530

  • Decades of real-world use since its approval in 1991, one of the first statins available

  • FDA-approved specifically to reduce heart attack, stroke, and death risk in adults with existing heart disease or diabetes

Cons

  • 80 mg dose restricted to patients who have already tolerated it for 12+ months due to muscle injury risk

  • Contraindicated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, limiting which other medications can be combined

  • Not approved for use in children under age 10

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