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Is It Safe To Take Lipitor 80 Mg As An Alternative For Simvastatin 40 Mg?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Nov 2012
Question: I am taking simvastatin 40 mg. now my doctor wants to go take lipitor now with 80 mg. He says this would be of equal srength. Is this right everything I read is just the opposite that simvastatin 40mg is equal to lipitor 20 mg. Who is right?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sadiq Mughal (3 hours later)
Hi,

There are various studies comparing the different strengths of the two drugs, with respect to efficiency and side effects with different results.

However during the first 12 weeks of one study simvastatin increased HDL cholesterol more than the comparative doses of atorvastatin, while producing slightly lower reduction in LDL cholesterol.
At maximal dose comparison simvastatin 80mg and atorvastatin 80mg, HDL cholesterol lowering favoured simvastatin.

In another study efficacy of different strengths of atorvastatin were compared to different strength of simvastatin and found 40mg of simvastatin is equal to 80 mg of atorvastatin in lowering LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL

Bottom line Simvastatin 40mg is equal to 80 mg atorvastatin.

Hope I answered your question
If you have any more queries, do post your follow up.
I will be readily available to answer.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sadiq Mughal (13 hours later)
My pharmacist says the opposite that 40mg simvastain is equal to 20mg Lipitor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sadiq Mughal (17 hours later)

Hi thanks for your follow up
As I explained you above that 40mg of simvastatin is equivalent to 80mg of atorvastatin by citing referencing from three studies.
There are numerous studies comparing the different strengths of simvastatin and atorvastatin.
Most of studies but not all,depict 40mg of simvastatin is equivalent to 80mg of atorvastatin.
Your pharmacist might have gone through the study, which depicts 40mg of simvastatin is equivalent to 20mg of atorvastatin.
Hope I answered your query.
If you don’t have any more queries.
Please close the discussion and write review.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sadiq Mughal

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :1992

Answered : 1661 Questions

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Is It Safe To Take Lipitor 80 Mg As An Alternative For Simvastatin 40 Mg?

Hi,

There are various studies comparing the different strengths of the two drugs, with respect to efficiency and side effects with different results.

However during the first 12 weeks of one study simvastatin increased HDL cholesterol more than the comparative doses of atorvastatin, while producing slightly lower reduction in LDL cholesterol.
At maximal dose comparison simvastatin 80mg and atorvastatin 80mg, HDL cholesterol lowering favoured simvastatin.

In another study efficacy of different strengths of atorvastatin were compared to different strength of simvastatin and found 40mg of simvastatin is equal to 80 mg of atorvastatin in lowering LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL

Bottom line Simvastatin 40mg is equal to 80 mg atorvastatin.

Hope I answered your question
If you have any more queries, do post your follow up.
I will be readily available to answer.
Regards