- With Mayo Clinic cardiologist
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
Dr. Thomas Behrenbeck is a native of Germany, where he received his medical education at the Westfalian Wilhelm University in Munster and became board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.
He also received a Ph.D. in biophysics and physiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Behrenbeck joined the Mayo Clinic staff in 1990 and is currently an associate professor at Mayo Medical School and an academic faculty member at the Westfalian Wilhelm University. He is chair of the Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery NetWork of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Dr. Behrenbeck is a noninvasive cardiologist, specializing in cardiovascular (CV) imaging modalities (echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and CT), coronary artery disease and prevention of coronary artery disease. His research interests are the application of imaging technology to early recognition and treatment of atherosclerosis. He is passionate about patients' involvement in their health issues.
"The Internet and patient education present ideal synergies in the ever-growing field of knowledge in cardiology," he said.
Definition (1)
- VLDL cholesterol: What is it?
Symptoms (1)
- Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol?
Tests and diagnosis (3)
- Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?
- Cholesterol level: Can it be too low?
- Cholesterol ratio: Is it important?
Treatments and drugs (7)
- High cholesterol in children: How is it treated?
- LDL apheresis: Can it lower LDL cholesterol?
- Lipitor and Zocor: Are they equally effective?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (4)
- Kefir: Can it lower my cholesterol?
- Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol?
- Pomegranate juice: Can it lower cholesterol?
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine (2)
- High cholesterol treatment: Does cinnamon lower cholesterol?
- Noni juice: Can it reduce cholesterol?
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Question
Lipitor and Zocor: Are they equally effective?
Are Lipitor and Zocor equally effective? I take Lipitor for high cholesterol, but is there any reason I can't switch to a generic version of Zocor?
Answer
from Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D.
This is a common and important question. With the high cost of many prescription medications, more people are considering switching to cheaper generic versions of brand-name drugs. Lipitor and Zocor belong to a class of drugs called statins, which are used to lower blood cholesterol. Zocor (simvastatin) is available as a generic. Lipitor (atorvastatin) likely won't be available as a generic until late 2011.
However, in addition to cost, you should also consider the effectiveness of your cholesterol-lowering medication when trying to decide if you should switch medications.
Talk to your doctor about whether switching from Lipitor to a generic version of Zocor is appropriate in your specific situation to reduce prescription drug costs. Keep in mind that each of these medications is different, and you may have side effects, such as muscle pain, from one medication, but not the other.
Both Lipitor and Zocor are safe and effective in lowering cholesterol. However, you can take half the amount of Lipitor as Zocor, with the same results. For example, 10 milligrams (mg) of Lipitor has the same cholesterol-lowering effect as 20 mg of Zocor. It's possible that in people with high cholesterol, Zocor at a higher dose will be just as effective as Lipitor.
However, if you need to take more than 40 mg of Lipitor, Zocor will not be as effective. The maximum dose of Zocor that you can safely take is 80 mg, which is equivalent to a dose of about 40 mg of Lipitor.
Next questionNiacin overdose: What are the symptoms?
- Pedersen TR, et al. High-dose atorvastatin vs usual-dose simvastatin for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction. JAMA. 2005;294:2437.
- Ohsfeldt RL, et al. Statin cost-effectiveness comparisons using real-world effectiveness data: Formulary implications. Value in Health. 2008;11:1061.
- When a statin fails. Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. 2009;51:58.
- Countdown to expiry: Lipitor goes generic on 11/30/11. Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/06/18/countdown-to-expiry-lipitor-goes-generic-on-113011/. Accessed Aug. 11, 2009.
