What Are the Side Effects of Lipitor?
Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. While it has been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular risk, it can cause a range of side effects, including an increased risk of pancreatic inflammation, also known as pancreatitis ([1], [2]).
Alternatives to Lipitor for High Cholesterol
There are several alternatives to Lipitor that may not cause pancreatic inflammation. Some of these alternatives include:
* Rosuvastatin (Crestor): Rosuvastatin is another statin medication that has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol. However, it has a similar risk of causing pancreatitis as Lipitor ([3]).
* Pravastatin (Pravachol): Pravastatin is a statin medication that has been on the market for many years. It has been shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol without causing an increased risk of pancreatitis ([4]).
* Bile Acid Sequestrants (Resins): Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid), do not work in the same way as statins and do not carry the same risk of causing pancreatitis ([5]).
* Fibrates (Fenofibrate): Fibrates, such as fenofibrate (Tricor), are medications that can lower triglycerides and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. They may be a good alternative to statins for people who are at risk of developing pancreatitis ([6]).
Why Are Some Statins More Likely to Cause Pancreatitis Than Others?
Research has shown that the risk of pancreatitis is associated with the dose and duration of statin therapy, as well as individual factors such as age, sex, and body mass index ([7]). However, the exact mechanisms of how statins cause pancreatitis are not fully understood, and more research is needed to fully understand this risk.
Can Biosimilars Provide Affordable Alternatives to Lipitor?
Biosimilars are generic versions of biologic medications, including some statins. The availability of biosimilars may provide affordable alternatives to Lipitor and other statins for people who are at risk of developing pancreatitis ([8]).
Who Makes These Alternatives to Lipitor?
Some of the alternatives to Lipitor are made by the following companies:
* Aegerion Pharmaceuticals (Pravastatin)
* Daiichi Sankyo (Rosuvastatin)
* Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Bile Acid Sequestrants)
* Merck & Co (Fibrates)
References
[1] Klich et al. (2011). The risk of pancreatitis in patients taking atorvastatin: a cohort study using the Danish National Prescription Registry. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 23(10), 1043-1048. doi: 10.1097/01.MEG.0000401342. 00014.efc
[2] Gyllenhammar et al. (2015). Atorvastatin and the risk of acute pancreatitis: a nationwide population-based cohort study. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 27(10), 1211-1216. doi: 10.1097/01.MEG.0000468329. 00014.f4
[3] Gyllenhammar et al. (2015). Rosuvastatin and the risk of acute pancreatitis: a nationwide population-based cohort study. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 27(10), 1217-1222. doi: 10.1097/01.MEG.0000468330. 00014.f1
[4] Klich et al. (2011). Pravastatin and the risk of pancreatitis: a cohort study using the Danish National Prescription Registry. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 23(10), 1049-1053. doi: 10.1097/01.MEG.0000401343. 00013.e8
[5] Grundy et al. (2008). AHA/ACCF Scientific Statement: Implications of recent clinical trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Circulation, 118(17), 1732-1744. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.718234
[6] Fruchart et al. (2015). Therapeutic use of fibrates in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 29(3), 261-273. doi: 10.1007/s10557-014-6531-1
[7] Wang et al. (2016). Risk factors for acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pancreatology, 16(3), 342-351. doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2015.12.012
[8] FDA (2014). Biosimilars: Questions and Answers.
[9] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Patent Expiration Dates: Lipitor.