Lipitor vs Zocor - Difference and Comparison
Table of Contents
Lipitor and Zocor are statins used to treat high blood pressure and heart diseases that can lead to heart attack. Statins like Zocor and Lipitor lowering lipids such as cholesterol in the blood, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
Lipitor is developed by Pfizer and is known as the best selling prescription medicine in the world, with over $12 billion in annual sales. Other brand names for Lipitor are Torvast, Torvacard, Tulip, Totalip, Atorpic, Sortis, Xarator, and Liprimar. Lipitor is known to be quite effective when combined with changes in diet, exercise and smoking cessation.
Zocor is often marketed as a generic alternative to Lipitor. The drug was developed from a different method of synthesis by the Merck Pharmaceutical Company. Zocor is also known as Zocord, Zimstat, Sivastin, Simvaxon Simvastatin-Teva, Simvacor, Simovil Sinvacor, Simvahexal, Liponorm, Lipovas, Lodales, Lipex, and Denan in other countries and regions.
Comparison chart
Differences — Similarities —
| Lipitor | Zocor | |
|---|---|---|
| (446 ratings) | (290 ratings) | |
| Functions | Reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure associated with heart disease. | Reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure associated with heart disease and heart attacks |
| Effect | Plasma concentrations occur within 1-2 hours | Plasma concentrations peaked at 4 hours |
| Manufacturer | Pfizer | Merck |
| Prescription | Required | Required |
| Side Effects | Both have minimal side effects including upset stomach, gas, heartburn, change of taste, diarrhea, constipation, skin rash, headache, dizziness or blurred vision that may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. | Minimal side effects: upset stomach, gas, heartburn, change of taste, diarrhea, constipation, skin rash, headache, dizziness or blurred vision that may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication |
| Generic Name | Atorvastatin calcium | Simvastatin |
| Dosage | The recommended starting dose of Lipitor is 10 or 20 mg once daily | The recommended usual starting dose is 10 mg once a day in the evening |
| Oral administration | 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg | 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg |
| Usage | May be used in combination with a bile acid binding resin for additive effect | Zocor is effective alone or when used concomitantly with bile-acid sequestrants |
| Legal status | Prescription only | Prescription Only |
| Routes | Oral | Oral |
| Physical Properties | A white to off-white crystalline powder that is insoluble in aqueous solutions of pH 4 and below. Atorvastatin calcium is very slightly soluble in distilled water | A white to off-white, nonhygroscopic, crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water, and freely soluble in chloroform, methanol and ethanol |
Chemical differences between zocor and lipitor
Generically, Lipitor is called Atorvastatin calcium and its empirical formula is C33H34 FN2O5)2Ca•3H2O
with a molecular weight of 1209.42. Zocor, on the other hand is called Simvastatin with a empirical formula of C25H38O5 and a molecular weight of 418.57.
Physical properties of lipitor vs. zocor
Lipitor is white to off-white with crystalline powder that is insoluble in aqueous solutions of pH 4 and below. Zocor is white to off-white, nonhygroscopic, crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water.
Zocor and Lipitor are Prescribed For
Lipitor and Zocor both are taken to reduce high blood pressure caused by cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke for those with clogged arteries.
Since 2013, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have recommended that statin drugs like Zocor and Lipitor be prescribed to more at-risk individuals, including all people over 40 who have type 2 diabetes.
How zocor and lipitor work
Lipitor works to break down colesterol deposits that collect within the blood vessels of the body to reduce high blood pressure. If colesterol deposits develop in the blood vessels of the heart, they can cause a heart attack. Liptor is an alternative to angioplasty or blood thinning methods of blood pressure reduction. Lipitor uses a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor to reduce Low Density Cholesterol. Liptor works by enzyme blocking. The drug blocks an enzyme in the liver that leads to the reduction of Low Density Cholesterol that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Zocor functions in a similar manner to dissolve cholesterol deposits within blood vessels that cause high blood pressure and heart attack. The patent on Zocor expired recently allowing for reduced cost generic versions of the drug. Some studies suggest Zocor may be less effective than Liptor. Zocor uses a lipid reducing agent to reduce Low Density Cholesterol.
Side effects of lipitor vs. zocor
Lipitor has minimal side effects including upset stomach, gas, heartburn, change of taste, diarrhea, constipation, skin rash, headache, dizziness or blurred vision that may occur the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Zocor also has similar side effects,if any.
Recommended dosage of zocor vs. lipitor
The recommended starting dose for Lipitor is 10 or 20 mg once daily depending on the condition of the patient. The recommended starting dose for Zocor is 10 mg once a day in the evening.
Drug Interactions of lipitor and zocor
Lipitor may be used in combination with a bile acid binding resin for additive effect. Zocor is effective alone or when used concomitantly with bile-acid sequestrants.
Used with
Both Lipitor and Zocor should be combined with health, diet and exercise. This can assist in a reduction of blood pressure and reduced risk of heart attack significantly.
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