Lipitor Equivalents: Side Effects Of ?

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Robert11 - 06 Jan 2006 12:30 GMT

Hello:

Just heard from my medical insurance outfit that they want folks to switch
from Lipitor to several other possibilities; some of which are generics.

Have been on Lipitor for a few years now (am 69), and it "seems to" be
beneficial, and there are no side effects for me.

Would be most appreciative if anyone can offer any thoughts and opinions on
their "suggestions" listed below.

I am most concerned about if there have been any reports, substantiated or
not substantiated, regarding possible serious side effects to the heart,
stroke possibilities, or others ?

- Mevacor - Lovastatin (Lipitor generic, I think)

- Pravachol generic equiv. avail in April

- Zocar generic equiv. avail in June

- Vytorin

Thanks,
Bob

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Don Kirkman - 06 Jan 2006 19:37 GMT

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Robert11 wrote in article
<0JmdnYch8seu-CPeRVn-pQ@comcast.com>:

>Just heard from my medical insurance outfit that they want folks to switch
>from Lipitor to several other possibilities; some of which are generics.

>Have been on Lipitor for a few years now (am 69), and it "seems to" be
>beneficial, and there are no side effects for me.

I wonder what rationale your insurance people have. AFAIK there's no
precise substitute for Lipitor (which I take at 80mg, for the past seven
years). Nothing like this yet from my cardio, whom I see again in May.

>Would be most appreciative if anyone can offer any thoughts and opinions on
>their "suggestions" listed below.

>I am most concerned about if there have been any reports, substantiated or
>not substantiated, regarding possible serious side effects to the heart,
>stroke possibilities, or others ?

>- Mevacor - Lovastatin (Lipitor generic, I think)

Lipitor is atorvastatin, I believe.

>- Pravachol generic equiv. avail in April

Didn't do enough for me, so I was switched very early on to Lipitor.

>- Zocar generic equiv. avail in June

Don't know about Zocor but have the impression it's being touted as the
nearest substitute for Lipitor.

Good luck getting it worked out.

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Bill - 07 Jan 2006 00:33 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Thanks,
> Bob

There is no Lipitor generic availavle today. Different statins can have
different side effects, different benefits, and may require dosage
adjustments. It depends of what you mean by they "want" you to move. If you
have a reasonable - little increase in cost - choice to stay with what seems
to be working OK, I would do that. Otherwise your Dr. will make the choice of
the substitue in conjunction with you. I might tend towards Zocor but that is
just a general impression - listen to the Dr.

Bill - not a Dr.

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