Pravachol, Zocor or Lipitor?

[cindala]

I am doing some background research on the above cholesterol lowering medications. My Dr. has prescribed Pravachol, but I was wondering what others experiences have been with all of the medications.

Have any of you used them, and if so, any side effects, did they work etc.? Any info appreciated!

 

[Perlla55]

Don't take any, all drugs have side effects,
you can naturally lower your cholesterol by the right diet.
At walgreens pharmacy they sell a series of books called The Natural Pharmacist and one of them is: Lowering Cholesterol.
They are scientifically accurate, easy to understand, independent and unbiased, up to date, balanced--offers both positive and negative findings, integrative--includes both conventional and natural treatments.
ISBN 0-7615-1555-0. cost $ 6.99.
Visit their website at www.TNP.com

 

[BethR]

Perlla - you are definately right, the first and best course of action in lowering cholesterol is modifying diet. But many, many people have modified their diet radically and STILL have cholesterol levels higher than what is healthy. Some people just produce more cholesterol than others.

That is when a Statin drug, like the ones cindala mentioned, is very effective. Yes, a few people have deep muscle pain and an even fewer number may have liver trouble. That is why you are monitored closely using these drugs. And if you do have any of these symptoms - then you are taken off the drug. The muscle pain goes away and the liver function return to normal.

But for the VAST majority of people, the drug does what it is supposed to do, lowering cholesterol levels without causing ANY side effects.

Good Luck cindala! I am sure that when you find the right one, that you will find that any of these drugs will put you on the road to healthier circulatory system. I do not use any of these drugs (yet ) but I have had this conversation concerning cholesterol lowering meds with my doctor and with several pharmacists and that is how I learned the above information.

 

[wheeler1]

I've been on the lowest dose of lipitor for 2 years now. im 37 and have had extremely high (mid 300's) since i was first tested in my 20's. with a modified diet, weight loss etc i was able to lower it on my own to about 275, still not low enough. since i've been on lipitor and continuing to limit animal fats i am down to 174 consistently. i have liver function tests every 6 mos and so far everything is fine. when i first started taking it i did have muscle pain in my upper arms and a general feeling of tiredness in my arms, it did go away within a few months (i cant remember exactly). and although i remember being somewhat concerned about the feeling in my arms, its sort of this deep ache that wont go away, my doctor reassured me it would most likely pass and sure enough it did. i havent felt it since and there were no other side effects for me at all. i do feel it is very important you are regularly tested for liver problems and in fact my doctor only prescribes 6 mos at a time, so im forced to go see him! cant let it slide... i hope this helps!

 

[piratesmate]

I'm an insulin dependent diabetic & have had my cholesterol checked for years. For many years my cholesterol was very low - like 105 - 115. A couple years ago, it suddenly got high - about 270. Being diabetic, my diet & routine remained pretty much the same; it's a routine designed with the idea that high cholesterol is inherent in diabetics.

High cholesterol seems to run in the family. My mother started eating a cholesterol-smart diet & lots of exercise when they first started talking about it. When she had hers checked a couple years later, it was over 350. Regardless of the changes she made, directed by the doctors, she couldn't get it below 300. Sometimes, it just happens. She fought the doctor for years about the meds - she hates to take even aspirin! - but it's down to about 225 - 250 now.

Anyway, I take Zocor & have never had any of the symptoms they warn about. My mother also takes it & has many medical problems, but none are related to the meds - at least that we know about. She doesn't always tell us stuff. One of my sisters takes Lipitor because she has trouble with her triglycerides. It works for her, although I think she originally had some trouble with muscle pain.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I agree with Beth here, cindala. Very much so.

I take Zocor, it has lowered cholesterol count dramatically, and, as far as I can tell, no side effects. I do have blood check about every 5 months. Good luck on your research and the lowering of your own.

 

[Blondie]

DH has been on Lipitor for several years now without any side effects. He does get blood tests every 6 months to make sure it's not doing any harm to his liver.

 

[sammi]

I too am diabetic and have been on Liptor for the past 6 years since I was diagnosed with diabetes.I normally get blood tests for my HBA1C results every 3 months or so and that also includes liver enzymes tests too.So far so good.

 

[cindala]

Thanks for all you information so far!

Has anyone been on Pravachol, or know anyone who has? It appears that Lipitor and Zocor are the most popularly prescribed cholesterol lowering medications.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I have been taking Zocor for a year now with no problems.
Diet and exercise don't always work. My mother weighs a whopping 103 pounds and is on Zocor as well.

My father-in-law tried Pravachol but it made his muscles so weak he couldn't function normally (he and my husband are in a farming partnership, and before he finally got off it he wasn't even able to climb into a tractor using his legs the normal way, he had to get on his knees and go up the steps that way!). He worked harder on the diet and exercise and was able to lower it some that way, and is also on a natural herb-type thing to lower it and that seems to be working for him.

 

[cindala]

So far my research has turned up the following:

Lipitor was the #1 prescribed drug this past year, followed by Zocor at #2.

Lipitor is the strongest milligram for milligram, followed by Zocor, followed by Pravachol.

Lipitor appears to have the most side effects to the general prescribed population. Zocor appears to have the least. Still gathering info on Pravachol's side effects, which has been around the longest.

Also checking into CPK levels, and homosystine levels in the blood as an indicator of heart problems down the road. (My homosystine levels are normal, but I have a family history; Dad died at 68, and had heart problems for 20+ years.)


Any others have info to add?

 

[WilmaBud]

The safest statin by far is Lescol XL.

 

[linny172]

I took Pracachol and it made me very dizzy (more so than usual LOL) so changed to Lipitor with no problems and have had good results with it, I am also diabetic (type 2) just had blood work done and my chlorestol count is now 184.

 

[Otimon]

I have used all three and never had side effects from any of them. Am presently on Lipitor but will soon go back to Zocor as ins. will no longer pay for Lipitor.

Try to lower your own cholesterol first with diet and exercise. If it doesn't work, don't be afraid to try the drugs - they will help. Have regular blood checks (your doctor will advise you) and continue to exercise and watch your diet.

Best wishes.

 

[cindala]

Otimon,
I'm glad to hear that you haven't suffered from any side effects on any of the three medications. However, I am just curious why you had to switch any of the medications? You mentioned that insurance won't pay for Lipitor anymore. Do you know why? Maybe I should call my insurance company and find out their policy before I start any medication.

 

[Patrick IL.]

DW is taking Pracachol and has significantly modified her diet. She has had no side effects from the medication. Her count dropped 60 points! I think different diet changes and medications work for different people.

 

[nativetxn]

My husband takes pravachol but had dramatic improvement in his lipids when he started following the Atkins eating plan. His triglycerides dropped 98 points after changing to a controlled carbohydrate eating plan.

Controls his blood sugar too.

He hasn't experienced any ill effects from his medication yet. He took it for about 5 years with no real improvement until he changed his diet though. His internist told him he will probably discontinue it soon if he continues to see the same improvement. Why risk your liver if you can get results from diet?

Katholyn

 

[minniecarousel]

My 86 year old Mother takes Pravachol, but she takes so many other medications, that even if she had side effects, she wouldn't be able tell which medication is causing the problem. Sorry, wish I could offer pros/cons on Pravachol.

 

[Otimon]

cindala - Yes, indeed, call your insurance co. for a list of the drugs they will pay for. I assume ours will no longer pay for Lipitor because it's more expensive for them. They won't pay for Provachol anymore either. It's very discouraging when the ins. co. can decide your medication over what the doctor has ordered for you - even though our co-pay for drugs increased.

Doctor switched medications over the years according to results of regular blood tests.

 

[nancyj_pa]

I've been on Pravachol for over 5 years now. No side effects whatsoever. It has reduced my cholesterol somewhat but it still is a little over 200. My good cholesterol is very high and keeps my total count up. Just make sure you get tested at least once a year to make sure your liver functions are normal.