Difference between Crestor and Lipitor
Crestor and Lipitor are two medications that have shown tremendous promise in the treatment of excessive cholesterol, and they both belong to the same category of medications. While both essentially perform the same functions and produce similar side effects, they each have their own relative strengths and weaknesses. Have a read through this comparison article and find out what they are.
Function
Crestor and Lipitor both belong to the category of drugs known as statins. Such medications work by blocking the enzyme that controls the rate at which cholesterol is produced, HMG-CoA reductase. Crestor and Lipitor therefore cause the liver to produce less cholesterol than it normally would. The key difference is that Crestor can generally be taken without any regard to dietary restrictions, while Lipitor has been shown to interact unfavorably with grapefruit juice. Some studies have suggested that Crestor may be more effective than Lipitor in cholesterol reduction, but the results remain inconclusive at the time of this writing.
Physical Side Effects
Crestor and Lipitor produce similar side effects, which are often manifested as aches and pains. Some users in particular have reported experiencing headaches and stomach aches after taking statins. Still other users have reported experiencing pain in the lower back, in the sides and in the cheekbones as well as sore eyes. Far less common are side effects such as joint pains and overall body pain. Less frequent still are the gastrointestinal side effects that Crestor and Lipitor have been known to produce on occasion. These can range from mild to moderate, although many users experience a reduction of these effects as they get used to the medication. In any case, gastrointestinal issues that may arise from the use of Crestor and Lipitor are gaseousness, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and heartburn. Some users of Crestor and Lipitor also report experiencing the full range of cold symptoms, including hoarseness, runny nose and clogged sinuses. In addition, Crestor users are more apt to experience dry coughs, sore throats and swollen glands at the side of the neck.
Mental Side Effects
Far more alarming are the mental side effects associated with the use of Crestor and Lipitor, although these are fortunately not common. When they do occur however, they may cause the patient to be unable to function normally and experience potentially serious mental health issues besides such as paranoia and frequent nightmares.
Summary
Crestor
- Belongs to a category of drugs called statins
- Effectively lowers cholesterol
- May cause aches and pains, including headaches, stomachaches, lower back pain, sore eyes and cheekbones
- Certain individuals may experience joint pain
- Many users report cold-like symptoms
- Usage may lead to serious mental health problems
- Some users report feelings of irritability and/or extreme agitation
Lipitor
- Belongs to a group of drugs called statins
- Effectively lowers cholesterol
- May cause aches and pains similar to those caused by Crestor
- May also cause cold-like symptoms
- May result in mental health issues as well as paranoia and recurring nightmares
