Treatment of High Cholesterol
with Statins
Commonly Prescribed Statin Drugs
(Cost data updated 11/2004)
| Drug Name |
Active Ingredient |
Brand/Generic |
Median Price/
30 Day Supply |
5% of Median Price |
| Lipitor |
Atrovastatin Calcium |
Brand |
$86.00 |
$4.30 |
| Lescol |
Fluvastatin Sodium |
Brand |
$68.00 |
$3.40 |
| Lescol XL |
Fluvastatin Sodium |
Brand |
$84.00 |
$4.20 |
| Lovastatin |
Lovastatin |
Generic |
$50.00 |
$2.50 |
| Altoprev |
Lovastatin |
Brand |
$79.00 |
$3.95 |
| Pravachol |
Pravastatin Sodium |
Brand |
$117.00 |
$5.85 |
| Crestor |
Rosuvastatin Calciu, |
Brand |
$89.00 |
$4.45 |
| Zocor |
Simvastatin |
Brand |
$137.00 |
$6.85 |
What the Research Says
- The Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center has reviewed
the medical literature on the use of statin drugs and
produce a report evaluating their relative effectiveness
and side effects. Some conclusions from the report are:
Effectiveness
- All statin drugs were able to reduce LDL cholesterol by
at least 40 percent. At higher doses some of the
statins were able to reduce LDL cholesterol by even
greater amounts.
- When statins are used in approximately equivalent doses,
the increase in HDL cholesterol is similar for all.
- Evidence supports the ability of atorvastatin,
fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin.
- Pravastatin and simvastatin have been shown to lower the
overall death rate.
Side Effects
- Side effects from statins include muscle and liver
toxicity. The percentage of people experiencing
these side effects are low, and no differences were found
among the statins with respect to these side effects.
Working with Your Medical Provider
- The findings evaluated in the Oregon Evidence-based
Practice Center report are derived from group studies and
may not necessarily apply to you, depending on your
individual circumstances and medical history.
Nevertheless, you can use the conclusions presented here
as a good foundation to start a discussion with your
medical provider. AARP encourages you to discuss
these findings to determine which (if any) drug is best
for you.
Source: AARP
website quality Rx research,
research conducted by Oregon Evidence Based Practice Center
Treatment of Heartburn and Stomach Acid with Proton
Pump Inhibitors
Commonly
Prescribed Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drugs
(Cost data updated 11/2004)
| Drug Name |
Active Ingredient |
Brand/Generic |
Median Price
(30 day Supply) |
5% of Median Price |
| Nexium |
Esomeprazole Mag
Trihydrate |
Brand |
$147.00 |
$7.35 |
| Prevacid Capsule |
Lansoprazole |
Brand |
$152.00 |
$7.60 |
| Omeprazole |
Omeprazole |
Generic |
$112.00 |
$2.00 |
| Prilosec |
Omeprazole |
Brand |
$174.00 |
$8.70 |
| Protonix |
Pantoprazole Sod
Sesquihydrate |
Brand |
$123.00 |
$6.15 |
| Aciphex |
Rabeprazole Sodium |
Brand |
$147.00 |
$7.35 |
What the Research Says
- The Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center has reviewed
the medical literature on the use of proton pump
inhibitor drugs and produced a report evaluating their
relative effectiveness and side effects. Some
conclusions from the report are:
Effectiveness
- No differences in effectiveness were found among the
proton pump inhibitor drugs in the treatment of
gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD)
- No differences in effectiveness were found among proton
pump inhibitors in the treatment of ulcers of the stomach
or small intestine, ulcers caused by nonsteroidal
anti-flammatory drugs, or eradication of Helicobacter
Pylori.
- No differences were found in effectiveness among groups
of people based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or
whether they had another disease.
Side Effects
- No differences were found in side effects among the
proton pump inhibitors
- No differences were found in side effects among groups of
people based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or whether
they had another disease.
Working with Your Medical Provider
- The findings evaluated in the Oregon Evidence-based
Practice Center report are derived from group studies and
may not necessarily apply to you, depending on your
individual circumstances and medical history.
Nevertheless, you can use the conclusions presented here
as a good foundation to start a discussion with your
medial provider. AARP encourages you to discuss
these findings to determine which (if any) drug is best
for you.