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Zocor vs. Lipitor

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Posted 4/4/2007 6:45 PM (GMT -6)
Our insurance just notified us that it will no longer pay for Lipitor.  My husband tried Crestor and had terrible muscle aches and fatigue.  His cardiologist is putting him on Zocor now. Is anyone on the generic version of Zocor?  He was doing so well on Lipitor - I just HATE the fact that they are doing this to him.  Do you know if Zocor and Lipitor work the same way? 
Posted 4/5/2007 9:12 AM (GMT -6)
Hi tomah, I am so sorry for that...Insurance companies just suck sometimes dont they?  I really dont have any idea about the differance between the two medications.  I hope another member will come along shortly and be able to answer your question.  Please do let us know how things go.  Take care

Posted 4/5/2007 7:39 PM (GMT -6)
I am on the generic version of Zocor.   80 mg. compared to 20 mg. of Lipitor which I took the first year.   I have fibro and others pain issue that the statins seem to hit. Unfortunately, we all reacts to meds differently and it's trial and error.    I have gained weight so not sure if the elevated raise in HDL's is my fault more then looking at Lipitor or Zocor as the blame.    I am aware of how expensive Lipitor is, but you might decide to cover the cost of Lipitor because it works with less pain?    I have also noticed that a diff generic brand of Zocor is making me hurt more the last month.  Big diff, but I will see what happens there.  I can't cover the cost myself.   Sorry about the insurance.  It's discouraging, isn't it.    Statins aren't easy drugs for lots of people...when you find what works, you certainly hate to change it.  Hope that helps.  Good luck. 
Posted 4/8/2007 2:15 PM (GMT -6)
Zocor usually works as well as Lipitor in most people, with no difference (or perhaps even fewer) side effects, so long as they are taking equivalent doses: 10 mg. of Lipitor is about the same as 20 mg of Zocor, if I'm remembering the ratio correctly. So if he was taking 20 mg of Lipitor, his simvastatin dose should be 40 mg.

There should be absolutely no difference in generic simvastatin than the brand name Zocor, unless there is some manufacturing error (which could happen with the brand names too).

Crestor has a higher incidence of side effects than either Zocor or Lipitor.

I'd try the generic simvastatin for awhile, but if the cholesterol numbers after about 3 mos. are not pretty close to what they were with Lipitor, I'd consider paying the higher price for the Lipitor. Are you sure the insurance company won't pay for it at all, or that it's just that you have a higher co-pay, e.g. with my company, I pay $10 for generics, $20 for "preferred brands" and $40 for everything else. Also, most insurance companies have a "prior authorization" and/or appeal process, so if you have proof that the Zocor doesn't work as well, with your doctor's help, you may be able to get approval for the Lipitor (but you'll have to fight for it and not give in/give up to the bureaucratic barriers they will put in your way, like telling you the first time you call "we don't cover it." or requiring tons and tons of paperwork.)
Posted 4/9/2007 7:59 PM (GMT -6)
been on them all.  in general zocor(or simvistatin)has been around longer and is ;like connie said, considered to have less side effects. i have had problems on all of them with muscle pain. if the small dose of zocor i am taking doesn't lower me a little from the 200 ldl level i presently have i will probably drop it, am not willing to be on higher doses.  p.s. the zocor helps me sleep at nite  but no weight gain from any of the statins

 

Posted 4/10/2007 12:13 PM (GMT -6)
Has your husband had TIAs or a stroke (maybe high risk for stroke)? I was on Vytorin and it worked really well. My neurologist changed to Lipitor because it has a better rate for effectiveness on pt's who've had TIAs or strokes.
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