Comparing Lipitor vs Niaspan
| Lipitor Remove Lipitor from your drug comparison | Niaspan Remove Niaspan from your drug comparison |
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| Lipitor atorvastatin Remove Lipitor from your drug comparison | Niaspan niacin Remove Niaspan from your drug comparison | ||||||||||||||||
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Lipitor is effective at lowering cholesterol; however, its use may be limited by side effects such as muscle pain. Prescribed for High Cholesterol, High Cholesterol - Familial Heterozygous, High... View more |
Prescribed for High Cholesterol, Hyperlipoproteinemia, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV - Elevated VLDL, Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V - Elevated Chylomicrons VLDL. Niaspan may also be used for purposes... View more |
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Prescription only |
Prescription and OTC |
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Ratings & ReviewsRecent helpful reviews |
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4.8
For High Cholesterol: This medicine did a number on my legs. Had numbness, the legs felt like led, wobbly. I had been a mail carrier and walked 10-11 miles and day, retired but continued to walk 4-5 miles a day besides being very active with DIY projects and part time job. Took Lipitor earlier this year. It got the numbers down, but I had 3 ER visits in one week and spent the night in the hospital because my legs were acting up and it scared me and my heart did weird things. Lot of stress for me and my family. We have good insurance, but this will still probably be around $2000. I would not recommend Lipitor to anyone-there are other cholesterol meds out there. |
6.1
For High Cholesterol: Problems with flushing until doctor told me not to eat strawberries or chocolate in the evening. I can eat them before lunch. I take Niaspan on going to bed. I eat 2 Graham crackers and 8 oz of milk when I take it. This has resolved all my problems with the medicine. For High Cholesterol: I use the niacin regularly. My numbers show a slow moderation, my doctor is pleased. I use not at night, it disturbed my sleep. Thanks. |
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Drug Class |
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Side Effects |
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Common side effects include: hemorrhagic stroke, arthralgia, diarrhea, and nasopharyngitis. See the full Lipitor side effects document. |
See the full Niaspan side effects document. |
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Pricing and Coupons* Prices are without insurance |
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View all Lipitor prices and generic prices |
View all Niaspan prices and generic prices |
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Generic Availability |
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Dosage Form(s) Available |
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Brand Names |
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N/A |
Other niacin brands include: B-3-50, B3-500-Gr, Endur-acin, HDL Benefit, Niacin SR, Niacor, Slo-Niacin | ||||||||||||||||
Half LifeThe half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value. |
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14 hours |
1 hour |
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CSA Schedule**View glossary of terms. |
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Not a controlled drug
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
Not a controlled drug
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act. |
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Pregnancy Category |
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Category X
Not for use in pregnancy
See the full Pregnancy Warnings document. |
Category C
Risk cannot be ruled out
See the full Pregnancy Warnings document. |
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FDA Alerts |
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N/A |
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Drug Interactions |
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A total of 316 drugs are known to interact with Lipitor:
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A total of 96 drugs are known to interact with Niaspan:
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Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions |
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Disease Interactions |
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First Approval Date |
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December 17, 1996 |
July 28, 1997 |
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WADA ClassView World Anti-Doping Agency classifications. |
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N/A |
N/A |
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More Information |
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Consumer Resources |
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Professional Resources |
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Related Treatment Guide |
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** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
For High Cholesterol: I have taken this for 8 years but it makes me feel like a zombie. And it affects my memory and motor skills. I recently went back to work and had to quit the lipitor because it affected my ability to work. Don't know what I will try next. Started on Crestor 9 years ago and couldn't stand the pain in my legs.