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Two Popular Statins Going Generic

April 28, 2006

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This summer, generic versions of two statins, Pravachol and Zocor, will become available, at prices lower than the brand names now command. The FDA announced approval of the generic version of Pravachol earlier this week.

If you have been taking Pravachol or Zocor, switching to a generic version of the same drug makes sense, according to the May issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. Generic drugs are the same as the brand-name version in all but looks, inactive ingredients, and price. By law a generic drug must

• contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug
• be identical in strength, dosage, and administration
• work the same way in the body
• meet the same standards for quality
• be made by the same rules the FDA has set for the brand-name drug.

The difference? Generic drugs cost less.

What if you are taking a statin that doesn’t yet have a generic equivalent, such as Crestor, Lescol, or Lipitor?

Although the statins are chemically different, they all lower total and LDL cholesterol. Insurers will almost certainly try to move people to generics. However, some statins are more powerful than others. If you need to ratchet your cholesterol way down, talk with your doctor to see if going generic makes sense.

So far, Americans haven't been that good about switching from costly brand-name drugs to less expensive but equally effective generics. With effective generic statins on the market, the Harvard Health Letter suggests maybe it's time to make the switch.

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