Lopid vs. Lipitor

Lopid(gemfibrozil) andLipitor(atorvastatin) are used to lowercholesterollevels.

Lopid is also used to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levelsinpeople withpancreatitis.

Lipitor is also used to elevateHDL("good") cholesterol.

Lopid and Lipitor belong to different drug classes, Lopid is alipid-regulating agent and Lipitor is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (a "statin" drug).

Side effectsof Lopid and Lipitor that are similar includenausea,diarrhea,headache, andmusclepain.

Side effects of Lopid that are different from Lipitor includestomachupset, stomach/abdominal pain, vomiting,dizziness, drowsiness,jointpain, loss of interest in sex,impotence, difficulty having anorgasm, numbness or tingly feeling, unusualtaste, or cold symptoms (such asstuffy nose, sneezing,sore throat).

Side effects of Lipitor that are different from Lopid includeconstipation,fatigue, gas, andheartburn.

Both Lopid and Lipitor may interact with other cholesterol-lowering drugs andalcohol.

Lopid may also interact withbloodthinners,insulinororaldiabetesmedications, andcolchicine.

Lipitor may also interact with antibiotics, antifungals, birthcontrolpills,heartmedications, or medicines to treatHIV/AIDS.

Common side effects of Lopid include:

• stomach upset,
• stomach/abdominalpain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• joint or muscle pain,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• unusual taste, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffynose, sneezing,sorethroat.

Lopid may infrequently causegallstonesandliverproblems.

Tell yourdoctorif you notice any of the following unlikely, but serious side effects of Lopid including:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• yellowing eyes orskin, and
• darkurine.

Common side effects of Lipitor include:

• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• decreased appetite,
• upset stomach,
• nausea or vomiting,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• problems urinating,
• 易怒,
• constipation,
• skinrash,
• itching,
• increasedmenstrual cramps, and
• sexual side effects including
  • impotence,
  • loss of interest in sex, or
  • trouble having an orgasm.

Lopid (gemfibrozil) is a lipid regulating agent used to treat very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with pancreatitis, and is also used to lower the risk ofstroke,heart attack, or other heart complications in people with high cholesterol andtriglycerideswho have not been helped by other treatments. Lopid is available ingenericform.

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a statin used for the treatment of elevated total cholesterol,LDL, triglycerides, and to elevateHDL cholesterol.

Lopid may interact with blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetesmedication, or other cholesterol-lowering drugs. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Lopid is not recommended for use duringpregnancy. It is unknown if this medication passes intobreast milk.

Erythromycin(E-Mycin),ketoconazole(Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox),cyclosporine(Sandimmune), indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir) decrease elimination of Lipitor. Lipitor increases the effect ofwarfarin(Coumadin) and cholestyramine (Questran) decreases theabsorptionof Lipitor.

The recommended dose of Lopid for adults is 1200mgadministered in two divided doses 30 minutes before the morning and evening meals.

The recommended dose of Lipitor is 10-80 mg daily.