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Crestor vs Zetia

Rosuvastatin  ·  Ezetimibe

Two different routes to a lower LDL — production versus absorption — and why the combination is often stronger than either alone.

At a glance

CrestorRosuvastatin
ZetiaEzetimibe
Brand names
Crestor
Zetia / Ezetrol
Drug class
Statin
Cholesterol absorption inhibitor
Route
Oral
Oral
Marketed by
AstraZeneca
Organon
First FDA approval
12 Aug 2003
25 Oct 2002
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

CrestorRosuvastatin

CRESTOR is indicated: • To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or an arterial revascularization procedure) in adults at increased risk for CV events. • As an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): ∘ in adults with hypercholesterolemia. ∘ and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in adults. ∘ in adults and pediatric patients aged 8 years and older with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). ∘ in adults and pediatric patients aged 7 years and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). • As an adjunct to diet for the treatment of adults with: ∘ Primary dysbetalipoproteinemia. ∘ Hypertriglyceridemia. CRESTOR is an HMG Co‑A reductase inhibitor (statin) indicated: ( 1 ) • To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (…

ZetiaEzetimibe

ZETIA ® is indicated: In combination with a statin, or alone when additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is not possible, as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C in adults with primary hyperlipidemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). In combination with a statin as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with HeFH. In combination with fenofibrate as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated LDL-C in adults with mixed hyperlipidemia. In combination with a statin, and other LDL-C lowering therapies, to reduce elevated LDL-C levels in adults and in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). As an adjunct to diet for the reduction of elevated sitosterol and campesterol levels in adults and in pediatric patients 9 years of…

How each one works

CrestorStatin

12.1 Mechanism of Action CRESTOR is an inhibitor of HMG‑CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts 3‑hydroxy‑3‑methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol.

ZetiaCholesterol absorption inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ezetimibe reduces blood cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the small intestine. The molecular target of ezetimibe has been shown to be the sterol transporter, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which is involved in the intestinal uptake of cholesterol and phytosterols. Ezetimibe localizes at the brush border of the small intestine and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, leading to a decrease in the delivery of intestinal cholesterol to the liver. This causes a reduction of hepatic cholesterol stores and an increase in LDL receptors, resulting in clearance of cholesterol from the blood.

Related comparisons

Lipitor VS Crestor Lipitor VS Zetia

Read more

Crestor profile Zetia profile Statins All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.